The Nigerian Wrestling Federation (NWF) has approved the establishment of a training camp at Iowa State University in the United States as part of Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 World Wrestling Championships.
The global championship is scheduled to take place from October 24 to November 1, with Nigerian athletes expected to intensify their preparations ahead of the competition.
NWF President Bashir Adewale Adeniyi approved the establishment of the camp, which is designed to bring together Nigerian wrestlers based in different parts of the United States for joint training.
The initiative will also accommodate some Nigerian wrestlers currently studying in the U.S., as well as home-based athletes who possess valid American visas.
According to the federation, eligible Nigerian-born wrestlers living in the United States will also be allowed to participate if they are willing to represent the country.
The programme is expected to give the federation an opportunity to identify promising wrestlers of Nigerian descent and potentially integrate them into the national team.
The NWF said the camp would also help strengthen collaboration between Nigeria-based athletes and wrestlers living in the diaspora while creating a broader pool of talent for international competitions.
Nigeria’s women’s wrestling coach, Purity Akuh, welcomed the initiative, describing the camp as an important part of the country’s preparations for the world championship.
Akuh said the athletes would benefit from access to quality facilities, experienced coaches and high-level competition during their stay in the United States.
He added that the wrestlers would have opportunities to test themselves against strong opponents, including the U.S. Army wrestling team, which could further improve their competitive readiness.
The coach commended Adeniyi and the NWF for creating opportunities that would expose Nigerian wrestlers to a more demanding training environment ahead of the global tournament.
The federation hopes the initiative will contribute to stronger performances by Team Nigeria at the 2026 World Wrestling Championships and help the country build a deeper pool of elite wrestlers.
