#WrestleNice

WATCH: Henri Deglane Grand Prix

Thursday, January 19, 2023 - 12:59 By United World Wrestling Press

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NICE, France (January 19) -- The prestigious Henri Delgane Grand Prix begins Friday in Nice, France.

The tournament will open the wrestling season with France hosting the tournament in January as tradition. Last year, it was postponed to December due to COVID-19.

The competition will open with women's wrestling on Friday followed by freestyle on Saturday and end with Greco-Roman on the final day.

Tokyo Olympic champion Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) leads a strong Ukraine Greco-Roman team which also include world bronze medalist Andrii KULYK (UKR) and U20 world champ Mykhalio VYSHNVETSKYI (UKR).

Women's wrestling will see teams from France, the USA, Canada, Poland and Germany among others. Similar countries will be in freestyle with the USA sending a strong group.

The Henri Deglane Grand Prix can be watched here

Click here to view the full list of athletes competing in France.

Olympic silver medalist Oborududu announces retirement

Saturday, June 7, 2025 - 07:10 By Vinay Siwach

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NIGERIA (June 6) -- Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) announced her retirement last week, ending a memorable career in wrestling.

The 36-year-old called it quits at the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, a tournament she made her first appearance as a young wrestler in 2006.

In a career spanning 19 years, Oborududu won the African Championships 13 times, became the first African wrestler to win Olympic silver medal in Women's Wrestling and finished fifth at the Paris Olympics.

Oborududu participated won her first gold at the African Championships in 2010 and maintained her winning streak at the tournament for 15 years. 

“I want to thank everyone who has been part of my journey: the Nigeria Wrestling Federation led by Daniel IGALI, the board members, my teammates, and my family,” Oborududu was quoted as saying by the Nigeria media. "I created a lot of memories, but my most memorable one was the Tokyo Olympics, which ignited hope across Africa. It was the first-ever medal by an African woman in wrestling at the Olympics, and I hope more will come for future wrestlers."

At the sports festival, Oborududu helped Team Bayelsa clinch gold medal in her final bout at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival. He later received a farewell from teammates, officials and fans.