Niger Delta Games: Team Edo dominate the pool
Hosts Team Edo announced their dominance in emphatic fashion as the swimming events of the 2nd Niger Delta Games got underway at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, sweeping aside traditional powerhouses Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa on a thrilling opening day.
Despite a slow start, the Heartbeat State swimmers produced a stunning comeback, winning six of the nine gold medals on offer to finish Day One firmly on top of the standings. Star performances from Precious Tissa, Lucky Ayeni and Joy Peremoboere lit up the aquatic centre and sent the home crowd into raptures.
Team Edo initially stumbled, missing out on the first three events of the day the men’s 200m individual medley, women’s 200m freestyle and men’s 100m breaststroke. Delta claimed gold in two of those races, while Ondo topped the podium in the women’s 200m freestyle.
However, the hosts quickly found their rhythm. Joy Peremoboere sparked the turnaround by cruising to victory in the women’s 100m breaststroke, edging out Delta’s Success Ebigide, with Bayelsa’s Gloria Epekele finishing third.
Precious Tissa followed with a commanding display in the men’s 50m freestyle, holding off Rivers State’s Idangofaka Tubotamuno, while Cross River’s Destiny Ajaka settled for bronze. Tissa’s victory echoed his gold-medal performance at the National Youth Games in Asaba last year.
Lucky Ayeni was equally impressive in the women’s 50m freestyle, claiming gold in style, as Kolade Otunla added another top finish for Edo in the men’s backstroke events. Otunla also teamed up with Albert Akintokun, Biloha Simeon and Tissa to secure gold in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay.
In the women’s relays, Edo’s quartet of Nkonye Ziitaven, Joy Peremoboere, Ifelouwa Fumilayo and Lucky Ayeni proved unstoppable in the 4x100m medley relay, further underlining the hosts’ depth and preparation.
Additional podium finishes came through Kolade Silva, who claimed silver in the men’s 200m individual medley, and Nkonye Ziitaven, who picked up silver in the women’s 200m freestyle. Imegbodofo Teminijesu added a bronze medal in the men’s 100m breaststroke.
Team Edo’s remarkable resurgence culminated in a thrilling victory in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay, capping a dominant end to the day at poolside.
Speaking after the events, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, praised the swimmers’ performances and credited their success to early and thorough preparation.
“Our athletes have been in camp for the past 21 days. We knew the quality of our opponents, so preparation was key,” Enabulele said.
“As hosts, we prepared to win, and the swimmers have had ample time to get ready for these Games. That is what is reflecting in the results we are seeing.”
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