Paris 2024: Nigeria’s Blessing Oborududu Beats France for Semi-Finals Spot in Wrestling

2020 Tokyo silver medalist, Blessing Oborududu on Monday, August 5, 2024, defeated France’s Koumba Larroque 6-2 in the quarter-final of women’s Freestyle 68kg, Wrestling, to book a place in the semi-final.

In what was an extremely contested affair, filled with aggressive attack combatted by clever defending, the Nigerian who has been in four consecutive Olympics, used her experience and skill to get past a quick koumba Larroque.

Oborududu got the first point of the bout after taking Larroque out of the line, but Larroque immediately fought back for two points in the takedown.

France tried to hit on the attack but was met with a dogged defence by the Nigerian, which kept the scores at 2-1 to France. Not long after, Oborududu went for what is seemingly her favourite method of getting points, as she reached for the legs of Larroque and got her to the floor for a couple of points, taking a 3-2 lead, as the final moments ticked by.

In the final 30 seconds, Larroque fought hard to get some points but was held down cleanly by Oborududu who got two points for a 5-2 lead. The French woman’s team challenged the move but failed, gifting Oborudu an extra point, to win 6-2.

She had earlier defeated Linda Morais of Canada 8-2 in the women’s Freestyle 68kg, Wrestling, to set up the clash with Larroque.

The 13-time African Champion will be up against Zhumanazarova Meerim, a familiar foe in the Semifinals later tonight. They met in the Quarterfinals of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, with Blessing coming out on top, 3-1.