Sunday was a golden day for Team Edo as the team continue to wrack up more gold medals at the ongoing National Sports Festival which is building up heats by the day. The team sets a new world record
The team commenced the day with participation in various athletics events that saw them earn 6 final slots and earn a bronze in the 200M Butterfly Women’s category courtesy of John Faith and another bronze by Elegbede Dele in the 20km Walk Race men’s category to close the morning session.
The team in the afternoon session picked a bronze medal in the 3,000 Steeple Chase Women’s category.
Meanwhile, Four athletes – 2 men, and 2 women – have qualified as winners of their respective heats to book the Final in the 100m of the Deaf Athletics.
In Aquatic events, John Faith picked up the first medal – bronze in the 200m butterfly, women’s category. In the women’s 100m freestyle, Yinlayefa Edemotu Uwaje also got a bronze for the team. Team Edo upped their ability in the aquatic events with a Silver win by Obomanu Christian in the Men’s Breaststroke category. Israel Seleakpobo got another bronze for Team Edo in the men’s 200m freestyle category. The team ended the day with another bronze in the 4x200m freestyle women’s category to make 4 bronzes and 1 silver on the day.
The Heartbeat of the nation continues their medals racking in the festival with a bronze in the ODI Cricket, men’s category. The women’s team showed character and stamped their authority in the Cricket game by grabbing the Gold in the women’s ODI event.
The team is confident going into another day of boxing, and though they are yet to lay their hands on any medals, the team is in an advantageous position to clinch medals.
Today, additional six boxers won their bouts in the quarter-final. Amongst the interesting news in boxing is Yakubu Ibrahim 71kg knocking down his arch opponent, Adetoye Kolawole in round 2.
Kafilat Almaruf, Para Powerlifting world record holder
In the Kung Fu event, Silver Izibiri (Nandao) and Pere Ere Ebitomo (Daoshu) won silver for the team as Charity Izevboku (Nanquan and Nangun), Blessing Ofugha (Jianshu) and Precious Erhunmwunomase (Taijijan) all won bronze for the state.
The event with the most medals for the team so far remains the Para Powerlifting and they didn’t disappoint as they spiced the day with not only gold but also set a world record. Tolulope Taiwo started the day’s medal spree with a silver in the Men’s 88k category.
Swimming Backstroke event at the ongoing festival
The world record holder, Kafilat Almaruf equaled the record she set at the 2022 African Championship in Cairo Egypt two months ago when she lifted 145 in 73kg. She had lifted 138 and 142 in her first two attempts before setting the Festival record with her world record-equalling display.
At the climax of the day, Para Powerlifting earned Team Edo another gold after Omogbai Daniel emerged winner of the men’s 107kg category.
Tolulope Taiwo clinched a Silver medal for Team Edo in the Men’s Para Powerlifting 88kg category.
The Para Table Tennis also added their quota to the medal haul as Olowe Tomide and Blessing Aiwekho combined to earn the team bronze in the Class 3 mixed doubles category.
In Class 10 Mixed doubles, Faith Obazuaye, and Eghosa Osaigbovo also combined to win another bronze for the team.
In Canoeing/Kayak Lilian Japheth and Adeola Iwajomo won gold in the women’s 200m K2. In C200 men’s category, Alfred Emmanuel and Bell Desmond Silver won silver for Team Edo as Delta won Gold, and Oyo, bronze.
The team in a bid to defend the title won last year in women’s football defeated Team Kaduna 2-0 to book a semi-finals slot just as the team Men’s Handball team also recorded a 33-26 win over Team Anambra.
Women’s Para powerlifting 50kg gold medalist, Bejide Abosede
In Golf’s Men’s Single Match Play, Team Edo came second (Silver) behind Team Imo. Team Rivers claimed Bronze.
In the Taekwondo Bantamweight, Abani Blessing snapped up a silver just as Amarachi Asonya in the women’s Featherweight claimed Silver for Team Edo.