Wrestling: Aryeh progresses at ECOWAS event

Ghana’s only medal hopeful, Welbeck Aryeh defeated his Malian counterpart, Allasaine Moumbachair, yesterday to progress to the quarter-final stage of the 100kg category of the ongoing Eighth ECOWAS Wrestling De Dakar being staged in the Senegalese capital.

Ghana took five wrestlers, namely Mbalilo Mod, Vitus Adakurah, Richard Tsiyo, John Dekagbe and Welbeck Oliver Ayeh. The Ghanaian team were led by Cynthia Dotsey, a certified trained wrestling trainer who was very optimistic about the wrestlers’ chances.

However, all the four other wrestlers were eliminated at the preliminary stage, leaving only Aryeh in contention.

The vice-president of the Ghana Wrestling Federation, Master Norbert Amefu, told the Graphic Sports via telephone that he was optimistic that Aryeh would win a medal and said the future was bright for Ghana wrestling.

He appealed for support from the state and noted that a talent recruitment drive was underway to tap smart wrestlers for grooming.