Wrestling: DR Congo dominated the Central African Championships
The Léopards set a medals record at the Central African Championships held in Brazzaville. The Congolese from Kinshasa collected 35 medals, including 17 gold, topping the final country rankings.
Jonathan MASIALA · Author profile ·
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The Léopards Lutte of the DRC continue to impress at every competition they participate in. After finishing in fourth place in the overall medal standings at the recent African Championships held in Egypt — with 16 medals won, including 6 gold — the Congolese Wildcats have asserted their dominance in their subregion. Indeed, they won the Central African Championships in Brazzaville (June 13–14) with 35 medals collected (including 24 gold, 10 silver, and 1 bronze), thus setting a new record for the number of medals won in all competitions combined.
The favorites step up
The first day of the competition was devoted to Olympic wrestling, where the Léopards won 22 medals, including 17 gold, while the second day was dedicated to beach wrestling, where the Congolese won 13 medals, including 7 gold. The favorites were present at these Central African Championships, such as Rosie Tabora (72 kg) and Chancelvie Ngomba (50 kg), both gold medalists among the women at the last African Championships in Egypt. Both of them achieved a double victory in Brazzaville, taking gold in both Olympic and beach wrestling. Two other female athletes were able to accomplish this feat: Jenny Boenga (57 kg) and Jessy Miguel (76 kg). Among the men, three achieved the double: Bukasa Kalala (70 kg), Ndalu Ebisa (92 kg), and Tshibangu Gigael (90 kg).
For the president of the Congolese Wrestling Federation, Éric Kinzambi, this remarkable performance is further proof that the DRC is preparing well for the upcoming African Championships it will host in 2027. “We are very satisfied with this new haul from the Léopards. It is proof of the athletes' dedication and the good preparation for the next African Championships that we will host in 2027. The athletes are gaining momentum and it is a very good thing,” he stated.
The DRC thus finished in first place on the podium ahead of Congo-Brazzaville, the host country, and Nigeria, which was invited. The competition also saw the participation of Cameroon and the Central African Republic.