Wrestling · Legends · No. 2
Daniel Igali
The Bayelsa-born Olympic champion who came home to lead Nigerian wrestling.
- 2000Olympic gold
- 1999World champion
- 2002Commonwealth gold
- 2013NWF president
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From Eniwari to Olympic gold
Daniel Igali was born on 3 February 1974 in Eniwari, Bayelsa State, into an Ijaw family. He wrestled for Nigeria as a young man and, after travelling to the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada, stayed in Canada, where he built his career.
World and Olympic champion
Wrestling for Canada, Igali became world champion in 1999 in Ankara and won Olympic gold at Sydney 2000 in the 69 kg freestyle, Canada’s first Olympic wrestling title. He added Commonwealth gold at 74 kg in Manchester in 2002.
Back home to lead Nigerian wrestling
Igali returned to serve Nigeria. He was elected president of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation in 2013 and re-elected in 2021, overseeing the golden era of Oborududu and Adekuoroye, and has served on the board of United World Wrestling since 2022. He has also served as Bayelsa State commissioner for sports.
More Nigerian wrestling
Wrestling in Nigeria
Africa’s wrestling powerhouse.Read more
History of wrestling in Nigeria
From village contests to Power Mike and Olympic silver.Read more
Olympics, Commonwealth and African Games
Every Commonwealth medal and Nigeria’s African dominance.Read more
Nigerian wrestlers
Oborududu, Adekuoroye, Genesis, Igali and more.Read more
Quick answers
Daniel Igali: quick answers
Is Daniel Igali Nigerian?
Yes. He was born in Eniwari, Bayelsa State, in 1974. He won Olympic gold for Canada in 2000 and later led the Nigeria Wrestling Federation from 2013.
What did Daniel Igali win?
The 1999 world title, Olympic gold at Sydney 2000 (69 kg freestyle) and Commonwealth gold in 2002, all for Canada.