Nigeria secured a commendable second-place finish at the recently concluded 13th Edition of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Wrestling Tournament (TOLAC 2025), held at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
Senegal, the tournament’s most successful nation, reclaimed the top spot after previously conceding victory to Niger Republic—a country that, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, recently withdrew from the ECOWAS bloc. Nigeria’s runner-up position marks its best-ever performance in the regional competition, which serves as a platform for fostering regional integration, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting gender inclusion.
Benin Republic secured third place after an impressive 5-0 victory over Guinea, demonstrating remarkable strength and resilience across all weight categories.
Nigeria began the final round with strong momentum but ultimately fell short against Senegal’s more experienced and tactically superior wrestlers. Senegal secured victories in the 66kg, 86kg, 100kg, and 120kg weight classes, while Nigeria claimed a single win in the 76kg category. Nevertheless, Nigeria’s silver-medal performance reflects significant progress, improving on its third-place finish in 2023.
Despite Senegal’s dominance in the team standings, Nigerian athletes made notable achievements in individual categories. Ebipatei Lienbofa captured gold in the 66kg division with a decisive win over Senegal’s Safietou Goudiaby. Similarly, Ebi Bigos triumphed over Côte d’Ivoire’s Youin Amy in the 76kg final, further highlighting Nigeria’s growing strength in the sport.
Senegal’s overall victory earned them a prize of $10,000, while Nigeria received $6,000 for their second-place finish. Benin Republic was awarded $3,000 for securing third place. In individual events, gold medalists received $2,000, silver medalists took home $1,500, and bronze medalists were awarded $1,000.
Francis Chuks Njoaguani, Director of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre, praised the high level of competition and the unifying impact of the tournament. “This was a remarkable improvement for Nigeria. Moving from third to second in just one edition reflects growth and determination. Senegal may have won, but Nigeria proved they are a rising force in West African wrestling. Beyond the competition, the tournament served as a cultural and sporting milestone,” Njoaguani remarked.
He further emphasized the broader significance of the tournament, which coincided with ECOWAS’s 50th anniversary celebrations: “Senegal demonstrated their dominance, but this competition is bigger than winning. It’s about celebrating our shared heritage and the strength of our region. This was a fitting way to mark ECOWAS at 50.”
A defining highlight of this year’s tournament was the historic inclusion of female wrestlers—a groundbreaking step toward gender equality in traditional sports. This significant achievement, which fittingly took place on International Women’s Day, reflects ECOWAS’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and empowering female athletes across the region.
As ECOWAS marks five decades of progress, TOLAC continues to serve as a catalyst for cross-border cooperation, reinforcing the unifying power of sport and strengthening diplomatic ties across West Africa. The tournament remains a key driver in the international recognition of African wrestling and its enduring contribution to the region’s cultural identity and cohesion.
