Nigeria Targets Stronger World Wrestling Championship Campaign With US Training Camp
The Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) has stepped up preparations for the 2026 World Wrestling Championships with the establishment of a high-level training camp at Iowa State University in the United States.
The camp, approved by NWF President Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, will bring together Nigerian wrestlers based in the United States, alongside selected home-based athletes with valid visas. The programme will also provide an opportunity for eligible Nigerian-born wrestlers living in the US to train with the national team setup and potentially strengthen Nigeria’s squad ahead of the championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, scheduled for October 24 to November 1.
Beyond physical preparation, the initiative is expected to widen Nigeria’s talent pool by connecting athletes in the diaspora with the country’s national wrestling programme. The federation also hopes the joint camp will improve coordination between home-based and foreign-based wrestlers while exposing them to advanced training facilities and stronger competition.
Nigeria’s women’s wrestling coach, Purity Akuh, said the American camp would give the athletes valuable experience ahead of the global competition. The wrestlers are expected to train with leading athletes and coaches and participate in competitive sessions, including encounters with the US Army wrestling team. The federation is hoping the exposure will help raise the team’s performance after Nigeria’s most recent World Championship medal came through Odunayo Adekuoroye in 2023.
