Corporal Hannah Reuben of the Nigerian Army has broken record, becoming the first Nigerian female military personnel to win gold in the women’s 76kg event, securing the feat at the ongoing World Military Wrestling Championship in Azerbaijan.
Another Nigerian Army female personnel, Lance Corporal Ojolaide Esther, also got silver medal in the 72 weight category.
Corporal Reuben was part of the contingent of the Nigerian Army at the 36th edition of the CISM (International Military Sports Council) wrestling competition organised for militaries across the globe.
The female Nigeria Army personnel beat her Italian contender in the 68 weight category of women’s freestyle wrestling to lift the gold medal.
Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, said of the feat: “It could be recalled that this is the first time the Armed Forces of Nigeria is securing a gold medal since participating at the CISM World Wrestling Championship.
“Another commendable performance was by Lance Copral Ojolaide Esther who got silver medal in the 72 weight earlier at the event.”
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who was represented at the scene by the Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Major General Emmanuel Onumajuru and the Director of Sports, Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Timothy Marquis expressed their happiness over the development.
The senior officers respectively maintained that the historic victory wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of the CDS, acknowledging his crucial role in the team’s success.
Similarly, in a video uploaded on the X account of the Nigerian Army on Saturday, Reuben could be seen jubilating with the country’s flag around her shoulders in celebration across the ring following her triumph.
Speaking on her victory, the officer said her success was predicated on the “top-notch” preparation she was provided for the competition.
“I want to thank the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, and other service chiefs for ensuring wrestlers in the Nigerian Military attended the 36th World Military Wrestling Championship,” Reuben said.