The African Wrestling Championships began in Algiers ©UWW

Egypt’s Shaimaa Mohamed was among the winners on the opening day of the African Wrestling Championships in Algiers.

Cadet competition took the focus as competition began at La Coupole d'Alger venue in Algeria’s capital city.

Mohamed emerged as the winner of the women’s 49-kilogram cadet event, after overcoming one of the largest fields.

She earned an impressive 8-0 victory over Morocco’s Imane Boujnane in the gold-medal contest to top the podium.

Bronze medals were earned by Tunisia’s Meriem Barkouti and Algeria’s Samia Maredj, after they suffered semi-final defeats.

Tunisia’s Nour El Houda Raouaf topped the standings in the women’s 53kg event, which saw five wrestlers contest a round-robin format.

Raouaf won all four of her contests to win gold, with Algeria’s Achouak Tekouk and Egypt’s Jana Ibrahim rounding off the medal positions.

There was further success for Tunisia in the women’s 65kg event, where Khadija Jlass finished the competition unbeaten.

Nigeria's Odunayo Adekuoroye is among the elite athletes set to compete in the coming days ©Getty Images
Nigeria's Odunayo Adekuoroye is among the elite athletes set to compete in the coming days ©Getty Images

Jlass secured three straight victories to clinch gold, with Ayatalla Ahmed of Egypt settling for silver after suffering a defeat to the eventual champion.

Egypt’s Farah Hussein emerged as the winner of the 57kg competition.

Hussein won her three bouts in the competition, which included a triumph against runner-up Chahineze Ghomari of Algeria.

The Championships will continue tomorrow and will conclude on Sunday (February 9).

Cadet, junior and senior events are taking place in Algiers.