Athletes have started feeling the brunt of coronavirus pandemic. The nostalgic feeling for training is taking a toll on their psyche as they wait anxiously to return to action. The three-time world medallist Odunayo Adekuoroye has admitted that she misses competing on the mat.
The Nigerian wrestler last competed in February at the African Championship in Algeria, where she defeated Egypt’s Emam Essam Guda to claim her sixth continental title. She believes that the COVID-19 has denied her the chance to work on her shortcomings and prepare for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
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“I have not been on the mat for a couple of weeks now, I have missed wrestling so much; Covid-19 has really affected sports because by now I should be somewhere training for the Tokyo Olympic Games, but I just must stay indoors and train with the little equipment I have,” Adekuoroye said in a live chat @sportsmedicine-professionals. “The pandemic not only affect sportsmen and women alone even those that sports is their source of income; even the fans all over the world. So, I think Covid-19 has really affected sports adversely”.
“Before the pandemic, I trained twice daily by spending six hours in the gym but because of COVID-19, my coach can only monitor my training through video calls which is not every time. This is really missing affecting my daily routine because of the pandemic,” she added.Adekuoroye has confirmed the 53kg berth for the Summer Games and is eyeing her first Olympic medal when it arrives in Tokyo next year.
