•Eniekpedekumor Says Andawei a better wrestler to Opukiri
An Ijaw wrestling champion, Mr. Opukiri of Bayelsa was yesterday defeated and disgraced by Mr. Andawei who represented Delta State in a wrestling context at Okerenkoko community in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
This was done as part of activities marking the final burial rites of late. Chief Thomas Osen Ekpemupolo in his country home, Okerenkoko where he was finally laid to rest today.
While commenting on his victory, Mr. Sylva Andawei alleged that he hails from Delta, emphasising that his victory is purely divine and clearly the hand work of God.
According to Andawei, the champion of the day, he noted that Mr. Opukiri is indeed a tough rival to meet at any time and any day. ” He is never an easy wrestler, but by his grace I was able to bend him down”.
Our correspondent learnt that after the humiliating defeat, Opukiri became so furious as he could not respond to journalists as he aggressively pushed reporters aside and anyone that tries to intercept him while walking away.
A Niger Delta Rtd. Wrestling Champion Mr. Eniekpedekumor Poru, alleged that he hails from Ojobo Community in Oporomo Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, reveals that he had been working at the Bayelsa State ministry of sport.
“I have seen Opukiri and Andawei wrestled so many times, in all these times, Andawei always defeats him, so I am not surprised at all, he is a better wrestler hence his continuous victories over him, Opukiri is also a great wrestler but Andawei is better ” Eniekpedekumor stated
Poru while commenting on his toughest wrestling context before his retirement, reveals that Victor Kode from Ekpetiama in Bayelsa State, is the toughest opponent he has ever encountered before his retirement, he further maintained that at the moment he is a wrestling coach in Bayelsa State and at the national level as well.
The Rtd. Wrestler alleged that his fight against Victor Kode was truly a hard one as throughout his life as a wrestler, only Kode was his greatest rival, he discloses that there are times that he looses to his harsh rival Victor and would also defeat’s him in another match as well, he categorically pointed out that their context ended as a draw.
On the eroding of wrestling as a key component of the Ijaw culture, Eniekpedekumo calls on Ijaw leaders to revive the dying culture, he frowns at the steady deterioration of it while noting that Bayelsa state has more wrestlers than Delta due to the commitment of the Bayelsa State Government in protecting the rich cultural heritage of the Ijaw people.
The wrestling also featured other big names like Adibo who held champion Soso to a draw, others are Amos, Bishop, Timipa, Progress, Andy, Babangida and others.
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