Baku:Bako Boureima in the men's category and Kibone B. Edith in the women's category each claimed victory and a prize of one million francs at the inaugural Faso Cup of traditional wrestling, held from October 23 to 24, 2026.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the competition featured 32 matches and was organized under the theme "Popular progressive revolution and cultural sovereignty promoting traditional wrestling to affirm our national identity." Bako Boureima, hailing from the Mouhoun region, excelled in the men's final, attributing his success to thorough preparation, training, and concentration. He expressed a desire to continue his university education following his win.
In the women's category, Edith Kibone from Nayala secured first place, crediting her swift victory to familiarity with her opponent, whom she had faced before. Edith expressed her satisfaction with her performance in what was her first participation in the Faso Cup.
The competition anticipated the participation of 28 athletes, comprising 14 girls and 14 boys. However, only 22 athletes—10 girls and 12 boys—competed, as four athletes were absent and two others were disqualified for exceeding the weight limit. Auguste Zinzéré, the national technical director of the Burkina Faso Wrestling Federation, praised the technical skills and commitment of the young wrestlers, noting that the quality of performances made selecting the winners challenging.
Abdoulaye Ki, vice-president of the Burkina Faso Wrestling Federation, lauded the successful organization of the first edition, viewing it as a significant step towards promoting traditional wrestling across the nation. He expressed gratitude to national authorities for their support and hoped for continued backing to sustain future editions. The announcement of increased prize money was well-received among the wrestling community.
This inaugural edition not only highlighted sporting achievements but also aimed to reinforce cultural values, nurture future athletes, and encourage female participation. The organizing committee envisions the competition becoming a staple event to celebrate and promote Burkina Faso's sporting heritage. Additionally, the Faso Multisport Cup, excluding football, encompasses 11 disciplines and seeks to engage youth in sports and national values.