Para-Powerlifting, Swimming Deliver Gold for Team Ondo

Anuoluwapo Akinola and Patience Nigeria dazzled at the ongoing  second  edition of the U-20  Niger Delta Games at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, winning two gold medals respectively for Team Ondo.

Akinola became the first athlete to claim a medal for Ondo, securing the state’s first gold in the para-powerlifting 86+kg category.

Teenage swimming sensation Patience Nigeria clinched the second gold for the Sunshine State in the 200 metres freestyle, taking Ondo’s medal tally to two at the time of filing this report.

Samuel Abiodun and Joy Ilori
added two bronze medal in the 50 metres backstroke and Traditional Wrestling 58kg female category respectively.

In basketball, Ondo State’s men’s team defeated Abia State 32–20 in their opening match, while the women’s team secured a 27–24 victory over Cross River State.

Team Ondo also impressed in volleyball, defeating Cross River 2–0 in their opening game before cruising past Delta with another 2–0 win in their second outing.

In tennis, Zayan Rahman defeated his Delta State opponent 2–0 to qualify for the semi-finals of the boys’ singles event.

In handball, Team Ondo brushed aside Rivers State with a commanding 28–4 victory in the women’s category.

Speaking to newsmen, Patience Nigeria expressed delight at her podium finish. She attributed her success to hard work and dedication.

“If you train very well, you will reap the rewards at the end of every competition. I thank the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for organising this competition,” she said.

“I am very happy to win gold for my dear state, and I will continue to do my best to make Ondo State proud. I started swimming at a very tender age after I was discovered during a competition held at the Ondo State Sports Complex in Akure, the state capital.”