Niamey-Niger — Senegal dethroned defending champions Niger at the 9th edition of the ECOWAS Community Traditional Wrestling Tournament which ended in Niamey on Saturday 8th June, 2013.

The five-member team Senegal led by Mr. Fode Sarr beat their Niger counterparts to clinch the coveted gold trophy and 5-million FCFA prize money.

Nigeria, third place winners of the 8th edition retained their position after beating Guinea Bissau 4-1 to clinch the bronze medal in the team event, which featured wrestlers in the 66kg, 76kg, 86kg, 100kg and 120kg weight categories.

Niger and Nigeria got 3 million and 1.5 million FCFA respectively, for their efforts, while all the members of the first, second and third placed teams received gold, silver and bronze medals in that order.

In the individual categories, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria and the Gambia won gold in each of the five weight categories.

Each individual gold medalist went home with a cash prize of 1.25 million FCFA and a trophy, while second and third place winners received 750,000 and 500,000 FCFA each.

At the colourful closing ceremony, Niger's Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, honourable Kounou Hassane handed the trophy to the victorious Senegalese team and praised their performance. He also commended the participants and spectators for their good conducts during three-day regional event.

Similarly, the Director of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre (EYSDC), Mr. Francis Chuks Njoaguani, who presented the silver medals and cash prize to Niger team, also lauded the team's tenacity during the competition.

Random doping tests were carried out for the first time during the 9th edition of the tournament, which featured 79 contestants.

Dakar will host the next tournament from the 26th to 29th June 2013.