Young, well-built and energetic Harrison Israel of Ofoni Community, overpowered a line-up of 31 young and vibrant wrestlers to emerge champion of the Nanaye Dickson Wrestling tournament of Constituency 1 with a cash prize of N100,000.

The tournament, flagged off at Toru Orua during the opening ceremony, was laced with exciting and inspiring music embedded in the rhythmic pattern of Ijaw drum beats, horns and sonorous songs to urge the combatants on.

With strained sinews, grappling against each other, youths of Sagbama Constituency 1 in Bayelsa State clearly showed why Wrestling is touted as a sport ingenious to the Ijaw people.

The second position went to Bekekala Ebimobowei from Bolou-Orua community, with a prize money of N70, 000; while the third position went to Bekesuomowei Marine from Bulou-Orua community, with a cash prize of N50, 000.

The cash prizes were donated by the sponsor, Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation and presented by Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.

Meanwhile, during the New Year Break, January 2nd, the wrestling competition in Sagbama Constituency 2, starring over 30 registered wrestlers are vying for honours in Toru Orua, venue for all wrestling tournaments in Sagbama.

Wrestlers in Constituency 3 will take their on the 4th and 5th of January, 2022 at the same venue, to complete the Constituency qualifiers.

The Local Organising Committee, said in a statement that all the wrestling bouts for the Ekeremor Local Government Area in Ekeremor Town would hold between January 6-10, 2022. The statement was endorsed by the Tournament Consultant, Mr. Ono Akpe.

According to Akpe, the Sagbama Local Government Finals would take place on the 12th of January in Toru Orua, while the Ekeremor hold on the 13th of January, 2022 in Ekeremor

Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, on behalf of his Foundation, thanked the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Suoye Lokoja, and other members for the good organization of the community-based wrestling tournament.

The Senator had earlier noted that Bayelsa State has more wrestling champions than any State in Nigeria or country in Africa, stressing that efforts of his Foundation would help to talent spot future African Champions and Olympic medalists like Blessing Oborodudu, Victor Kodei, etc.

He said the grassroots-based Traditional Wrestling Tournament was in honour of his late father and an attempt to sustain the legacy of his father, a great wrestler in his time who groomed many young wrestlers.

He added that his desire to keep the art of wrestling alive in Ijaw land was that it was a land of wrestling champions.

Senator Dickson later led a procession of wrestlers, spectators and other guests to his father’s compound, the final resting place of his late father, Pa Nanaye Dickson, amidst drumming and dancing.

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