By Yang Ater Yang
Lakes State is mourning the death of renowned wrestler Alijou Nhial, popularly known as “Coronavirus,” who died at Nile King Specialised Hospital in Juba on Monday at approximately 3:30 a.m. following reported complications from hepatitis B and meningitis.
Nhial, a celebrated wrestler from Yirol West County, was widely known among wrestling fans for his strength, sportsmanship, and peaceful conduct in the wrestling arena.
According to his family members and fans, the wrestler had been battling illness for about two months before his death.
Anyak Mabor Anyak, Secretary-General of the Yirol West Union, told the media that Nhial first fell ill in Yirol before being transferred to Juba for specialised medical treatment.
“Two months ago, the late Alijou fell sick in Yirol West and was transferred to Juba by a chartered plane, where he was admitted to Nile King Specialised Hospital. Medical tests were conducted, and he was diagnosed with meningitis and hepatitis B,” Mabor said.
He explained that Nhial showed some signs of recovery, prompting his family to take him back to Yirol West County. However, his condition deteriorated again later this month, forcing the family to return him to the same hospital in Juba.
“He recovered a bit, and the family members took him back to Yirol West. However, he fell sick again shortly afterwards and was brought back to Nile King Specialised Hospital, where he died this morning,” he added.
Olivia Ajak, one of Nhial’s fans, expressed deep sorrow over his death, saying the news had left her devastated and speechless.
Ajak said she had visited the wrestler at the hospital before his death to check on his condition. She added that she was informed that he had been diagnosed with hepatitis B and meningitis.
“It is very unfortunate to admit that the giant wrestler Alijou Nhial died at 3:30 a.m. on Monday at Nile King Specialised Hospital in Juba,” she said.
Ajak described Nhial as a peaceful and kind-hearted person who treated everyone with respect and was loved by his community and wrestling fans across South Sudan, particularly in the Bahr el Ghazal region.