The Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) has approved a United States training camp at Iowa State University as the country steps up preparations for the 2026 World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, from 24 October to 1 November.
NWF president Bashir Adewale Adeniyi authorised the initiative, which will assemble Nigerian wrestlers living in different parts of the US for a joint period of preparation and technical development.
The group will include Nigerians studying at American institutions, home-based athletes with valid US visas, and Nigerian-born wrestlers residing in the country who are eligible and prepared to compete for Nigeria. The wider selection base is intended to give the national team access to more available talent.
The federation also wants the programme to build stronger links between wrestlers based in Nigeria and those in the diaspora, bringing both groups into a unified training structure.
Women’s national coach Purity Akuh praised the decision and said the Iowa camp would be an important element of the build-up to Astana. The athletes are expected to use modern training facilities and equipment, while also gaining experience from competitive dual meets in the US, including contests with the US Army wrestling team.
Akuh expressed his appreciation for Adeniyi’s backing, saying the federation president’s financial and organisational support was giving athletes and coaches the resources needed to prepare for the world championships at the highest possible standard.
He added that a camp of this nature would expose Nigerian wrestlers to elite facilities, demanding competition, leading coaches and some of the sport’s top athletes.
Nigeria’s most recent World Wrestling Championships medal was won by Odunayo Adekuoroye in 2023. The federation now hopes the expanded preparation programme will help the team achieve stronger results in Astana.
