The 2025 African Wrestling Championships delivered a defining moment for the sport on the continent. Nigeria swept the women’s events in dominant fashion, while Egypt reaffirmed its supremacy in men’s freestyle. Held in Casablanca, the tournament not only highlighted the growing competitiveness of African nations but also served as a reflection of the structural progress being made across the sport.
Nigeria’s women produced a flawless campaign, taking gold in all nine contested weight classes and collecting 225 points, nearly doubling the tally of their nearest rival, Algeria, which finished with 116. Egypt placed third with 115 points, followed closely by the host nation Morocco on 113. Algeria’s only title came in the 57-kilogram category, where Nigeria did not field a competitor.
Returning champions Mercy Genesis, competing at 50 kilograms, Adijat Idris at 55 kilograms, and Ebipatei Mughenbofa at 65 kilograms, led the charge for Nigeria. Jumoke Adekoye marked a successful return to the mat by claiming gold at 59 kilograms after a two-year absence from competition. Ebi Biogos completed the sweep with a round-robin victory in the 72-kilogram division, sealing what many observers are calling one of the most commanding team performances in African wrestling history.
Men’s freestyle brings broader competition
In men’s freestyle, Egypt continued its long-standing dominance, winning the team title with 182 points. Gold medals came from Omar Mourad in the 74-kilogram category, Abdelrahman Sheyatan at 97 kilograms, Hassan Elsayad at 61 kilograms, and Ahmed Mahmoud at 86 kilograms. Egypt’s depth and consistency once again proved decisive, though the tournament also featured a wave of breakout performances from across the continent.
One of the standout moments came from Cameroon’s Cedric Abossolo, who won the 92-kilogram title without conceding a single point. It marked Cameroon’s first men’s freestyle gold since 1998. Guinea-Bissau’s Diamantino Iuna Fafe added to his continental legacy by capturing a dramatic third African title in the 57-kilogram division. Nigeria also returned to the men’s freestyle podium after a five-year absence, with Stephen Izolo clinching gold at 65 kilograms.
Tunisia’s Khairiddine Ben Tlili, wrestling at 70 kilograms, and Algeria’s Abdelkader Ikkal at 79 kilograms added further variety to the medal table, underlining the increasing competitiveness and diversity of African wrestling.
The championship was a reflection of broader development across the continent. Since the rebranding of FILA to United World Wrestling in 2014, the global governing body has prioritized Africa in its development strategies. Increased investment in coaching education, grassroots outreach, talent identification, and regular continental competition has strengthened wrestling’s foundations in many countries.
UWW’s role in the development of Wrestling in Africa
Nowhere is this more visible than in women’s wrestling. Once underrepresented, African women now regularly feature at the sport’s highest levels. Nigeria, in particular, has emerged as a global force, producing world-ranked athletes and setting a benchmark for others to follow. The expansion of women’s weight categories and improved visibility through UWW platforms have helped accelerate this transformation.
The resurgence of wrestling in Africa is also rooted in the continent’s rich cultural traditions. Traditional styles such as Laamb in Senegal, Boreh in Sudan, and Evala in Togo continue to play a vital role in community life and athletic identity. While distinct from the international wrestling format, these forms have preserved wrestling’s popularity across generations. National federations are increasingly drawing inspiration from these practices to build participation and scout emerging talent for competitive development.
The 2025 African Championships were more than a medal count. They told a story of revival and momentum, of new stars emerging and long-standing powers renewing their dominance. As African wrestling continues to grow in both strength and structure, its athletes are showing the world that the future of the sport will be shaped not only in traditional strongholds, but also on African soil.
