Nigeria’s armwrestling elites are gearing up for a high-stakes national showdown, as the Lagos Open 2026 Championship takes centre stage from April 9 to 12.

The championship will also serve as the official trial to select athletes for continental duty which will take place in Ghana soon.

Team Nigeria will battle ahead of the African Armwrestling Championship in Ghana, the crucial qualifier for the 2027 African Games in Egypt.

The president of the Nigerian Armwrestling Federation, Samuel Jackson, reaffirmed the federation’s determination to field only the very best.

“We have set out to present the strongest team for Nigeria in Ghana. Our intention is to go stronger into Ghana, in order to select a quality number of athletes who will qualify for Egypt,” he stated.

Mr Jackson appreciated the  key stakeholders who have continued to support the growth of the sport.

“We sincerely thank the National Sports Commission for their consistent support and the Lagos State Sports Commission for hosting this crucial trial. Their commitment has been   instrumental in the development of armwrestling in Nigeria.” he said.

The federation president made a strong appeal to the private sector and well-meaning individuals:

“We call on corporate bodies and individuals to continue  in supporting this sport. With the right backing, we can confidently guarantee gold medals for Nigeria at the next African Games,

“With the sport gaining momentum across Africa, Nigeria faces stiffer competition than ever—making the Lagos trials a defining moment for athletes chasing national selection.

“Every contest will matter. Every victory will count. Because in Lagos, it’s not just about winning, it’s about proving who is ready to carry Nigeria’s armwrestling strength to Ghana. That same person should also be able to deliver gold in Egypt 2027,” Mr Jackson said.

(NAN)