Young athletes took to the track on day four of the 2024 National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba, with Team Ondo and Anambra producing the champions in the boys and girls 100 metres events, respectively.
Team Ondo’s Olumide Ibikunle delivered a clutch performance in the boys final, coming through with a big performance to win the gold with a time of 11.20 seconds.
The first two positions were a battle of Southwest states, as Muyideen Adeniji of Ogun State finished second in 11.37 seconds, while Jacob Olumor of Delta State came third in a time of 11.38 seconds.
In the girls final, Rosemary Nwankwo of Anambra State emerged champion after pulling away from the rest of the field to win the race with a big gap, crossing the line in a time of 12.24 seconds.
Also, in the boys 1,500 metres final, David Gyang of Plateau State won the gold in a time of 4:12.11.
Messi Opeyemi (Osun State) finished second in 4:17.04, and Moses Gift (Delta State) came third in 4:17.16.
Plateau failed to do the double in the 1500m, no thanks to Nerat Sambo’s miscalculation, which allowed Cross Rivers’ Godsmind Eteng to steal a march on her.
Eteng timed her kick to perfection, moving past Sambo to win the gold for her state in a time of 4:56.61, while the latter settled for silver in a time of 4:56.90. Aanu Ige (Ogun State) got the bronze with a time of 5:00.59.
Meanwhile, Team Lagos swimmers Chioma Kanu, Sokunbi Tobi, and Ezumba Chidelu shone brightly, claiming medals in swimming, while Sunday Emmanuel also won a bronze in the weightlifting event on Saturday.
Kanu won the gold medal in 50 metres freestyle girls, while her other teammate Tise won gold in 200 metres individual medley boys, and Chidelu settled for silver in 100 metres boys.
The stellar performances of the Lagos rising stars shored up the medal haul in the swimming event to four, heading into the final day of competition for the aquatic event on Sunday at the swimming pool of the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.
In another development, Emmanuel added another bronze medal in weightlifting after a total lift of 111 kg.
Emmanuel (49 kg) put up a good show after lifting 50 kg in snatch and 61 kg in clean and jerk, bringing the total lift to 111 kg.
An elated Emmanuel gave thanks to God and the Lagos State Government for the opportunity to showcase his talent at the National Youth Games.
He said his weightlifting career was influenced by his mother as a coach and also by those who have successfully made significant milestones in the sport, including African and Commonwealth Champion Adijat Olarinoye.
Similarly, the Lagos female football team defeated hosts Delta 2-0 in a match played at St. Patrick’s College in Asaba.
Two goals from Kashimawo Temilola and Kemi Adegbuyi were enough for the indomitable Eko girls to continue on their impressive form as they look forward to defending their title in the football event of the 2024 National Youth Games.
Also, the Lagos volleyball team beat their Bauchi counterpart 2-0 (25-20, 25-20), and Team Lagos wrapped up the day with victory in the table tennis event as Aisha Rabiu and Faisat Musbau claimed gold in the girls doubles final, beating their counterparts from Delta State on Saturday.
