Sport/ Wrestling: Éloi Zerbo remains the “King of the Arena”
In front of a large audience that came out to watch the final of the traditional wrestling competition during the 20th edition of the National Culture Week, the wrestlers put on an impressive display of both skill and showmanship. Dancing, circling the arena, and impressive moves were the highlights of this final match.
When the fights in the 65 and 76-kilogram categories were finished, the audience’s attitude changed. The majority of spectators became amateur cameramen, holding their cell phones to capture every moment of the fight. Everyone was attentive because anything could happen at any moment in the match, and nobody wanted to miss a single second. The crowd was silent and still, fully engrossed in the action taking place before them.
Éloi Zerbo stands face to face with his opponent for the evening, Drissa Zon. The Python is eager to strike his venom on the technician as soon as possible to finish the match, but he remains cautious. The two men engage in a period of observation and both receive a warning.
After this brief pause, the fight resumes, but the pace still fails to excite the audience. It’s at this moment that Drissa Zon launches an attack on the national champion, but Éloi Zerbo immediately pushes him away. The Python then uses his strength and experience to strike back. Drissa Zon, unable to accept this, refuses to continue the fight and is given a second warning.
Just seconds before the end of the fight, the fighter from Houet attempts an attack on the Python. The wrestler from Nayala is caught from behind with his hip held by his opponent. However, by chance or a strategic move, the judges blow the whistle to signal the end of the match. Éloi Zerbo, known as the Python, emerges as the « king of the arena » of the National Culture Week, just a few days after being crowned national traditional wrestling champion.
At the National Culture Week 2023, Drissa Zon loses due to the accumulation of warnings, much to the delight of his opponent who launches into a dance of exultation and impression. Lying on his stomach, the wrestler from Nayala imitates the movements of a python through his dance.
Regarding his future, Éloi Zerbo hinted that he will still be present at the next edition of the National Culture Week, even though he had announced after the national championship that he would retire after the 2023 event. « I am very happy and I salute the people of Bobo. I am here and I will still be here, » he declared with a smile, while looking towards his opponent.
Having started his wrestling career in 2011, Éloi Zerbo claims to be the « strongest » in his field at present. As for his secret to success, he stated that it is simply training. As for the categories of 65 and 76 kilograms, the winners are respectively Roland Ki from Oubritenga and Blaise Débé from Kadiogo.
Yannick H
Source: Faso7.com
