Gifted Markson
In a dramatic quarterfinal bout at the Women’s 57kg wrestling event, Nigeria’s Odunayo Adekuoroye displayed her trademark resilience, rallying from a 4-point deficit to tie the match 8-8 against China’s Kexin Hong.
However, the Nigerian star’s efforts were ultimately undone as Hong clutched Adekuoroye to the mat, securing a victory by pinfall.
The match echoed Adekuoroye’s painful campaign at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where similar circumstances saw her Olympic dreams shattered in the quarterfinals.
This latest defeat is yet another bitter pill to swallow for the medal hopeful, who was seen as one of Nigeria’s best chances for a podium finish.
Despite the setback, Adekuoroye’s journey in the tournament may not be over. She will now anxiously await the outcome of Hong’s next matches, hoping the Chinese wrestler reaches the final, which would give Adekuoroye an opportunity to compete in the repechage for a chance at a bronze medal.
For now, though, Adekuoroye must grapple with the disappointment of another missed opportunity on the world stage.