Kokawa is a form of traditional wrestling.
This Nigerian traditional kind of sport has a close connection with traditional customs.
Traditionally in Nigeria, a man, who wants to marry a beautiful woman, must pass through this competition. Only the strongest man could have the right to get a wife. Today such a way to find a woman has remained and kokawa being a part of the tradition that usually takes place only during the festivals.
The participants wrestle in the sand in order to get honours. The circle is six meters in diameter, and its borders must not be stepped out.
There are various weight categories – from 40 to 100 kilograms. There are usually three rounds of the fighting. Thanks to such popular names as Sokarti Soberekon, Michael Okpala, Late Michael Bamidele, Maman Zaria, Ben LionHeart, and Power Uti and others, modern wrestling in Nigeria has a great potential for the future
