By Adama Makasuba
Hoyantan successfully defended his title in Gambia’s wrestling arena, triumphing over Yaya Jammeh of the Gambia Police Force in a dramatic heavyweight showdown during the 60th Independence Eve celebrations in Banjul.
The event drew a large crowd, including state ministers and senior government officials, to McCarty Square, where numerous wrestlers competed in a series of bouts.
The highly anticipated match, promoted as the main event, featured both competitors captivating fans with traditional wrestling dances before applying customary traditional medicines, believed to ensure victory, in line with African wrestling traditions.
After five minutes of intense action, Yaya Jammeh landed a powerful punch to Hoyantan’s head, momentarily raising hopes among his supporters that the match was over. However, Hoyantan quickly regained his composure and retaliated with two solid punches that sent Jammeh to his knees. According to the rules of wrestling, a competitor who touches the ground with both hands in this manner is deemed defeated.
Jammeh’s defeat was further exacerbated as he struggled to regain his footing, visibly dazed from the blows. He sought refuge by leaning against bags of sand, attempting to gather his composure.
