Dr. Daniel Igali, President of the Nigerian Wrestling Federation (NWF), has revealed that Blessing Oborududu made the decision to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympics despite receiving advice from medical professionals within the Ministry of Sports Development to refrain from doing so.
In his Facebook post yesterday, Dr. Igali provided a
philosophical perspective on Oborududu’s quarter-final loss on Tuesday,
highlighting her determination to compete despite an injury, “a testament to
the resilience of the human spirit in the face of daunting odds”.
Disclosing that the African and Commonwealth Champion had “a
stress fracture on her femur ”, the NWF President said that, “the head doctors
of the ministry of sports development, in their wisdom, deemed her unfit to
partake in the battle of champions. Yet, Blessing refused to succumb to the
whispers of doubt and despair”.
Dr. Igali disclosed that Oborududu entered into a written
agreement acknowledging that she would be held responsible for any
repercussions resulting from her decision to compete despite her injury.
“With a pen in hand and determination in her heart, she
penned an oath, shouldering the weight of her destiny with a steely resolve.
Against the counsel of the wise, she ventured forth onto the hallowed mat, a
warrior with a spirit unbroken. Her journey, marked by trials and tribulations,
culminated in a valiant effort that fell just short in the bronze medal match,
a testament to her unwavering spirit and dedication to her craft.”
Eulogising her as “a thread of gold, woven with the fibers
of courage and honor”, Dr. Igali said that “the Nigeria wrestling federation is
immensely proud of (Oborududu)”.