The Nigerian Military wrestlers who won gold and silver medals at the just concluded 36th World Military Wrestling Championship in Baku, Azerbaijan, returned home on Sunday, promising to continue to make Nigeria proud.
The wrestlers were received at the International Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja at about 10 p.m. by the officials of the Defence Headquarters, DHQ.
Addressing newsmen on arrival, the Director of Sports, DHQ, AVM ABIDEMI MARQUIS, thanked the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. CHRISTOPHER MUSA, for giving them the platform to project the image of the nation’s military on the world stage.
MARQUIS said the motivation behind the performance of the athletes stemmed from their awareness that they were going to represent their country and knowing that the national anthem of Nigeria would be played and the flag hoisted if they won medals.
MARQUIS said the Chief of Defence Staff, having understood the strategic importance that sports played in making a country visible, made sure that all that was needed for sporting engagement was provided.
He said the athletes were happy to have returned with the gold and silver medals, saying that nobody gave them a chance at the onset of the competition, but were able to compete fairly and fiercely.
According to him, those who don’t even know Nigeria at all because of our presence know Nigeria now.
The gold medalist, a female wrestler, Cpl. HANNAH REUBEN, who beat her Italian contender in the 68-weight category of women’s freestyle, said her mindset, preparation, and hard work propelled her to glory during the competition.
REUBEN said she had been competing at different levels, which helped her build herself up for the just-concluded competition that earned her a gold medal.
She promised to continue to do better ahead of the military games that would be hosted by Nigeria, where she only wanted to win more gold medals.