The Nigerian Wrestling Federation (NWF) has begun training wrestlers in sports and exercise physiology as it intensifies preparations for the forthcoming World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.

This is contained in a statement by Promise Okotoko, NWF Media Assistant, in Abuja on Friday.

He said the training held in Yenagoa, where the wrestlers are currently camping ahead of the World Wrestling Championships scheduled for October, was facilitated by Okou Femedein Timipre.

Mr Okou, also a member of the NWF Board, highlighted three critical physiological variables: mental toughness, team cohesion, and behavioural regulation.

He said these variables are important for stress management and performance among elite combat sports athletes.

According to Mr Okou, while physical conditioning and technical training build the athletes’ physical capacity, psychological preparation helps them sustain performance when fatigue, pressure and expectations begin to mount.

“On the mat, everyone is physically strong at this level. What separates gold from bronze is who can handle the stress of the last minute.

“Mental toughness predicts who stays composed and executes under stress, that is, stress performance, which leads directly to podium performance,” he said.

Mr Okou, also an international referee, urged the wrestlers to be intentional about teamwork, saying that wrestling, although an individual sport, remains a team sport in training.

“Wrestling may look individual on the mat, but victory is collective. The athletes and coaching crew must deliberately strengthen the spirit of oneness as preparations for the championship enter a critical phase.

“When an athlete knows her teammates and coaches believe in her, her stress tolerance doubles. Cohesion predicts podium performance because no athlete wins alone. You win with the energy of the team behind you,” he said.

The NWF Board member further motivated the athletes by providing incentives to support some of their basic training needs.

The 2026 Senior World Wrestling Championships will take place from October 24 to November 1 at the Barys Arena in Astana, Kazakhstan, and Nigerian Wrestlers are currently in Camps in Nigeria and the U.S. in preparation for the championships. 

(NAN)