The Mas Wrestling Tournament organized for athletes in Imo State has ended in Owerri with the emergence of champions.
The tournament contested by both male and female athletes was held at the Indoor Hall of the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri
Speaking after the event, the Mas Wrestling National President, Okolie Anthony expressed joy with the level of participation by the athletes.
Anthony, who described Mas Wrestling as a newly introduced game in the country that have just been registered commended the athletes and the organizers for mobilizing themselves for the tournament.
He said that as one who introduced the game in Nigeria from Russia, efforts are also being made to spread the game in all states of the federation apart from few states that have started it.
He said that the five Eastern states are fully participating in the game
and represented.
Anthony expressed joy that the game has been registered and approved by the Federal Government.
He said: “As I speak, there is Mas Wrestling in Oron in Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Imo States. That is how we want to spread the game to all the states.”
Flagging off the tournament, the Director of Sports, Imo State Mrs. Patricia Ezeji commended the organizers for coming up with the tournament.
She advised the athletes to use the opportunity provided by the organizer as a new game to do their best to emerge winners that would represent the state and the nation in both national and international tournaments.
Adding his voice, the Mas Wrestling head coach, Nwakama Chinedu expressed satisfaction with the tournament.
He said that the game was founded in Russia as their traditional game adding that their mandate was to make sure that Nigerians know about the game.
Umunnakwe Chukwuebuka Sydney the captain/assistant coach also expressed their satisfaction with the event.
He said the essence of the tournament is in line with their mandate to formally showcase and demonstrate the game in the state.
The tournament saw the emergence of Silas Amadi as the winner in the 100kg heavy weight after defeating Oscar Nwigwe in the male category.
In the male categories, Ceedy Charles defeated Ginika Favour to emerge winner in the 68kg light weight, while in the female category Mmaduabuchi Joyce floored Elegalam in the 63kg light weight.
Uchenna Innocent defeated Clinthon Ekeji in the 85kg light weight male category while Munachi Igwe emerged winner after beating his opponent Nwabueze Amadi in the 50kg light weight male category.
The picture showing the winner of the Mas Wrestling Tournament Silas Amadi (middle) being presented with meda the National President of Mas Wrestling, Mr. Okolie Anthony standing by the left hand side with the Imo State Mas Wrestling Head Coach, Nwakama Chinedu standing by the right hand side.
