Sierra Leone Wrestling Association delegation which includes four wrestlers; 3 men and a woman, and a coach have departed Freetown for Abuja, Nigeria, to participate in the 13th edition of the ECOWAS Traditional Wrestling Tournament.
This year’s tournament is set to take place from March 6 to 10, 2025, bringing together top traditional wrestlers from across the West African region.
Sierra Leonean trio; Foday Kargbo will battle in the Men’s 86Kg category, Alfred Samba in the Men’s 96Kg category and Mohamed Kanu in the Men’s 120Kg category.
The only female in the squad, Massah Jalloh will be battling in the women’s 76 kg category.
Determined to make a strong impact at the tournament,
Coach Ibrahim Sorie Keita expressed confidence in the wrestlers’ ability to compete at a high level and bring pride to Sierra Leone.
He said the tournament will serve as a platform for them not only to compete against others but to promote cultural heritage and strengthen regional unity through the sport of traditional wrestling.
As always, the competition will see participants from ECOWAS Member states showcasing their wrestling prowess in a contest of strength, skill, and endurance.
Sierra Leone’s participation in this prestigious event underscores the country’s commitment to developing traditional wrestling and gaining recognition on the international stage.
Sierra Leone Wrestlers are no strangers to the competition, in 2011, the Association won its first-ever medal in an international competition after one of its fighters, David Conteh finished third in the 84kg freestyle fight in the just concluded Wrestling Africa Championship in Dakar, Senegal.
In 2018, Mohamed Bundu who represented the country in the heavyweight category in Niger won a Silver medal.
Bundu lost to his Senegalese opponent in the final.
