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WATCH LIVE: 2023 Pan-American Games, Day Two

Thursday, November 2, 2023 - 13:03 By Eric Olanowski

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SANTIAGO, Chile (November 2) --- The second day of wrestling at the Pan-American Games is underway. Freestyle and women’s wrestling will share the stage today, with the competition beginning for freestyle at 65kg 86kg and women’s wrestling at 50kg and 57kg.

In freestyle, reigning champion Alejandro VALDES TOBIER (CUB) will try to defend his title from the 2019 Lima Pan-American Games. Valdes Tobier sits on the opposite side of the 65kg bracket with America’s Nahshon GARRETT, and has a bye in his opening round match.

In the quarterfinals, he’ll meet Joseph SILVA (PUR), who also has an opening round bye. The winner of that match will meet either Albaro RUDECINDO (DOM) or Uber CUERO (COL).

In women’s wrestling, the biggest storyline to follow in this morning session will be the opening round match at 57kg between Hannah TAYLOR (CAN), a U23 world bronze medalists, and Tokyo Olympian Luisa VALVERDE (ECU). This is a match that most thought would be the gold-medal bout, but with random draws, fans get to see it in the first round.

- Watch Thursday’s action: Freestyle 65kg and 86kg // Women’s Wrestling 50kg and 57kg
- 2023 Pan-American Games brackets
- Upcoming bout order

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.