Article Details

TOLAC 2026: Ivorian wrestlers shine on the mats in Banjul

The Ivorian delegation enjoyed a highly successful outing at this 14th edition of the ECOWAS African Wrestling Tournament (TOLAC 2026), with outstanding performances from both the women’s and men’s teams. In the 76 kg category, Amy Youin secured a magnificent gold medal for Côte d’Ivoire following a flawlessly executed campaign. The Ivorian successively defeated Togo’s Bimandeou Agnan in the preliminary round, Guinea’s Albertina Sunforie in the quarter-finals, then Senegal’s Khady Baji in the semi-finals, before winning the final against Nigeria’s Biogos Ebi. In the 66 kg category, Céline Nogona Bakayoko distinguished herself by winning a silver medal. After defeating Essohan Adaké of Togo in the quarter-finals and Déborath Turé of Guinea-Bissau in the semi-finals, she lost in the final to Essipaté Mughengofa of Nigeria. In the men’s 100 kg category, Ballo Assane Alexis won the bronze medal. Having defeated Julio Atchani in his first bout, the Ivorian was then stopped in the semi-finals by Boubacar M’Bogi of The Gambia. He managed, however, to bounce back by defeating Alaza Sayinbla of Togo in the third-place play-off. With one gold, one silver and one bronze medal, Côte d’Ivoire has confirmed its rising prominence in African wrestling within the ECOWAS region.