As the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) intensifies preparations for the 2026 World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, sports and exercise psychology has emerged as a key component of the national team’s build-up to the global competition, scheduled for October 24 to November 1.

 Dr Okou, a Sports and Exercise Psychologist and member of the NWF Board, paid an unscheduled visit to the Nigerian wrestlers at their training camp in Yenagoa, where he engaged athletes and coaches on psychological factors that could influence peak performance under pressure.

 During the session, Okou identified three critical psychological variables — mental toughness, team cohesion and behavioural regulation — as important factors in stress management and performance among elite combat-sport athletes.

 He explained that while physical conditioning and technical training develop an athlete’s physical capacity, psychological preparation is essential for maintaining performance when fatigue, pressure and expectations begin to mount.

 According to Okou, mental toughness gives athletes the psychological edge to remain focused, resilient, confident and composed when confronted with stress, adversity and difficult competitive situations.

 The international referee identified four key pillars of mental toughness as control, commitment, challenge and confidence.

 He explained that control involves managing emotions and remaining composed when trailing on points or competing in front of a hostile crowd. Commitment, he said, requires athletes to remain focused on their game plan despite fatigue, while challenge involves viewing difficult opponents and high-stakes bouts as opportunities rather than threats.

 Confidence, he added, is the belief in one’s preparation and ability to execute effectively, particularly during the closing stages of a bout.

 “On the mat, everyone is physically strong at this level. What separates gold from bronze is who can handle the stress of the last minute. Mental toughness predicts who stays composed and executes under stress, that is, stress performance, which leads directly to podium performance,” he said.

 Okou urged the wrestlers to make mental-skills training part of their daily routine, just as they do physical conditioning. He recommended techniques including visualisation, positive self-talk, controlled breathing and goal-setting.

 On team cohesion, Okou noted that although wrestling is an individual sport during competition, it remains a team sport within the training camp.

 He stressed the importance of unity and collective responsibility among athletes, coaches and officials, particularly as the team prepares for the demands of an international championship.

 He expressed concern about maintaining cohesion at a time when some of Nigeria’s top wrestlers are training in the United States ahead of the World Championships, describing the situation as an important test of the team’s unity and shared purpose.

 The NWF Board member explained that strong team cohesion can help reduce anxiety, improve motivation and provide athletes with valuable social support.

 He encouraged the team to develop task cohesion around the shared objective of winning medals for Nigeria, while also promoting social cohesion through mutual respect, support and accountability.

 As preparations continue, the emphasis on psychological readiness underscores the NWF’s broader approach to preparing its athletes not only to meet the physical and technical demands of the World Championships, but also to cope with the pressure and intensity of elite international competition.