FOUR national champions suffered defeat at the ongoing 2nd Governor Seriake Dickson Wrestling Championships holding at the Indoor Hall of the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State.
Ituru Oke, Abraham Onyemelusi, Paul Ikpong and Alfred Pakistan failed to live up to expectations in the Greco-Roman event of the competition.
One of the shocker of Day 1 took place in the 66kg category where former national champion and All Africa Games bronze medallist, Ituru Oke, suffered an humiliating defeat in hands of first timer, Julius Adekunle (Lagos), in the second round to pave way for Arikpo John Ubi Cross Rivers and eventual winner after seeing off Adebayo Phemmy (N/Army) in a keenly contested bout.
Despite enjoying the much needed support from the home fans, Africa silver medalist, Melvin Bibo lost to Nigeria Army wrestler and former 75kg Greco-Roman national champion, Okeke Tochukwu, in the 80kg category.
All Africa Games gold medalist, Emmanuel Nworie and Nathaniel Samuel AAG bronze medallist muscled their way to remain national champions in the 71kg and 85kg weight categories respectively.
