Nigerian wrestler Esther Kolawole has set her sights on a medal in the women’s 62kg freestyle category at the 2025 World Wrestling Championships in Zagreb, Croatia. Ranked eighth among 24 contenders, Kolawole is among the top seeds in her category.
The 23-year-old athlete told Olympics.com ahead of her departure for Croatia that her primary goal is to compete at the highest level and demonstrate improvements in her performance.
“My main target in Croatia is to compete at the highest level, showcase my improvements, and ultimately aim for the gold medal. I’ve been training hard, studying my opponents, and fine-tuning every aspect of my performance. I want to use this opportunity to make a strong statement and continue building momentum in my career,” she said.
Kolawole, a bronze medalist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and twice at the U-23 World Championships, is channelling the lessons from her early exit at the Paris 2024 Olympics into her preparation for upcoming competitions.
She reflected on how the Olympic experience sharpened her mental resilience, focus, and ability to stay composed under pressure—skills she believes will be crucial in Croatia.
In her bracket, she’s set to face formidable opponents, including Sakura Motoki of Japan, the reigning Olympic champion. Despite being a top seed, Kolawole remains unfazed by rankings, viewing them as recognition of her hard work rather than a source of pressure. Her focus remains on executing her strategy, staying composed, and performing at her best in each bout.
As the 2022 African champion, she draws inspiration from her personal journey and the pride of representing Nigeria. Her drive stems from a commitment to continuous improvement and honouring the sacrifices she’s made, as well as the support of her team and country.
