Nigeria Makes History as Mapsin Elias Mika Wins First-Ever Medal at Veterans World Wrestling Championships

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Nigeria has made history at the Veterans World Wrestling Championships in Amman, Jordan, after former national champion Mapsin Elias Mika won a bronze medal in the men’s 70kg Greco-Roman category.

Mika’s podium finish marks Nigeria’s first-ever medal at the United World Wrestling (UWW) competition for veteran athletes, giving the country a significant breakthrough on the international wrestling stage.

The 2026 championships, running from October 6 to 11, feature Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling for athletes aged 35 and above across several age divisions.

President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, congratulated Mika and the Nigerian contingent on the achievement, describing the medal as a moment of immense pride for the country and the wrestling community.

In a statement issued on behalf of the NWF Board, Adeniyi praised Mika for securing the historic result and commended veteran coach Babatunde James, popularly known as Tunde King, for his guidance and support throughout the campaign.

“I congratulate Mapsin Elias Mika and Tunde King on this historic feat. This historic achievement is a moment of immense pride for Nigeria and the entire wrestling community,” Adeniyi said.

The NWF president noted that the bronze medal had placed Nigeria in the record books of veterans wrestling and further strengthened the country’s presence in the sport internationally.

He also highlighted the importance of veteran athletes to the continued development of wrestling, pointing to their experience and potential to inspire, guide and mentor younger competitors.

According to the federation, supporting veteran wrestlers remains an important part of its commitment to growing the sport and improving athletes’ participation and welfare.

Mika’s achievement demonstrates that former elite athletes can continue to make meaningful contributions to Nigerian sports beyond their conventional competitive years. His historic medal also offers encouragement to other Nigerian veterans seeking to compete on the international stage.

The result is a notable milestone for Nigerian wrestling as the country continues to pursue greater recognition and success at international competitions.