Read here: Nigerian wrestling icon, Blessing Oborodudu will officially retire from the sport after competing at the 2025 National Sports Festival, currently taking place in Ogun State. Oborodudu is set to begin her medal campaign today, May 27 at the Gateway Games, with the wrestling events holding at the Obafemi Awolowo Civic Centre in Ikenne—one of the designated venues for the 22nd edition of the festival.


The 36-year-old made her debut at the National Sports Festival in 2006, also hosted by Ogun State. Since then, she has become one of Nigeria’s most decorated wrestlers, amassing gold medals at every subsequent festival she participated in—including Kaduna 2009, Rivers 2011, Lagos 2012, Abuja 2018, Edo 2021, and Delta 2022.


In a tribute, the Nigeria Wrestling Federation described her impending retirement as the departure of a legend. “A legend will be saying goodbye to a sport she has contributed immensely to through her dedication, passion, and achievements,” the NWF said.


“Her name resonates across Africa and beyond, evoking admiration from fans and the Nigerian people. Blessing Oborodudu is leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered for generations.


” Oborodudu is a 12-time African champion and made history by becoming the first Nigerian wrestler to win an Olympic medal, earning silver in the women’s freestyle 68kg category at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Visit our blog @www.estherokeketv.


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