By Monica Iheakam
Nigeria’s sensational wrestler, Odunayo Adekuoroye, has been named 2017 history maker by the United World Wrestling (UWW) .
Adekuoroye, ranked No 1 in Africa and 3rd in the World, was bestowed the title by UWW due to her notable performances on the mat this year in the sport.
The Paris 2017 World Wrestling Championship silver medalist was joined on the honors podium alongside Marwa Amri from Tunisia and Yasmani Acosta from Chile.
Adekuoroye and her Tunisian counterpart Amri, are the first women from Africa to reach a gold medal bout at a Senior World Championship.
Amri, an Olympic bronze medallist, was the first to do so at this year’s event in French capital Paris in August.
She defeated two-time Asian champion Aisuluu Tynybekova of Kyrgyzstan in the 58-kilograms division in the semi-finals to set-up a clash with Olympic champion Helen Maroulis of the United States.
That proved a step too far but Amri ended with a silver medal.
Adekuoroye advanced to the 55kg final, defeating Iryna Kurachkina of Belarus in the last four to match Amri’s achievement as an African woman.