Oborududu Named Athlete Role Model for Dakar 2026 Games

Nigerian freestyle wrestler Oborududu has been appointed as an athlete role model for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, which will take place from October 31 to November 13, 2026, in Dakar, Senegal. This selection was announced by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on October 31, 2023.

Oborududu is celebrated for her remarkable career, having won a silver medal in the women's 68 kg freestyle event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and being the first Nigerian to win a medal in this sport. She has competed since 2004 and retired after a 19-year career filled with accolades.

The IOC's initiative includes selecting 35 role models across various sports to support young athletes through educational workshops and training sessions. Kaveh Mehrabi, the IOC Athlete Depart Director, emphasized the importance of these role models in guiding and inspiring the next generation of athletes, contributing significantly to the mission of empowering youth during the Dakar 2026 Games.