SMBA wrestler captures provincial silver medal

It is the first time an athlete from SMBA has won a provincial wrestling medal.

Nikki and teammate Marshall Atkins advanced to the provincial championship after placing fourth in their respective weight classes at regional competition in Bridgewater on Feb. 21.

Nikki competed in the 63-kilogram intermediate class while Atkins was in the 35-40 kg junior class.

At provincials, Nikki won his first two matches on points putting him the championship match against Nick Baker from Oyster Pond Academy.

Wrestling coach Pete Comeau said the match went two full rounds, with Baker winning on points. “Aqiki gave the final match his all, requiring a few minutes for him to recover before the medal presentations,” said Comeau.

Nikki who is at the lower end of his weight class, said all his matches at provincials were won on points and a competitor he’d like to wrestle again edged him out of the gold medal. “I lost the final match by a few points,” said Nikki. “Nick had a lot of upper body strength and I couldn’t move him. He was really tough, but he didn’t push me outside the ring. “Even though I am better at points than pinning, I would like to wrestle Nick again to try and pin him for the match.”

Nikki said he was pleased to get a silver medal but wants gold next season.

Although Atkins did not win his matches at provincials, he gained valuable experience for next season, said Comeau. “Wrestling is a relatively new sport to SMBA and we had three new juniors on the team this year along with Aqiki being our senior wrestler.”

The team participated in the Atlantic High School Wrestling Festival in Sackville on Feb. 9 with Colin Ryan placing fifth of 11 wrestlers in the 54-kg junior class.

Comeau said that he placed Nikki in the senior level in order to gain experience against bigger, stronger opponents. “Aqiki has earned the respect of his opponents for his behaviour on and off the mat,” said the coach. “On the mat, he is completely focused on the match, relishing the thrill of the combat. His sense of balance and knowing the situation on the mat is amazing and exciting to watch. “Winning a provincial medal is a great encouragement to the team and we are all proud of Aqiki’s accomplishments.”

Comeau praised Nikki for his guidance and support to the younger wrestlers during practice and in tournaments where his advice produced greater results than expected.