Reigning African champion, Esther Kolawole, has clinched the gold medal in the 62kg category at the Grand Prix of Spain, showcasing her dominance on the mat with a 10-0 superiority victory over the USA’s Haylie Jaffe in the final.
Kolawole stormed into the final after a flawless run in the earlier rounds, defeating Spain’s Lydia Perez Tourino 10-0 in the quarter-final and securing a 4-1 win against Poland’s Alicja Nowosad in the semi-final.
The triumph in Spain adds to the growing profile of the Nigerian star and reaffirms her status as a force in international women’s wrestling.
President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Honourable Daniel Igali, commended Kolawole’s performance, describing it as an encouraging sign of what lies ahead. Speaking on behalf of the federation’s board, Igali expressed confidence that her victory will boost her experience and readiness for future global tournaments.
“If she continues on this path, Nigerians can look forward to many more gold medals from her,” Igali said.
Following her success in Spain, Kolawole will now set her sights on the upcoming Ranking Series in Budapest, Hungary, scheduled for July 14–19, 2025, as part of her buildup to the World Wrestling Championships later this year in Croatia.