Delta State clinched the title at the inaugural Edo State Invitational Swimming Championship, which concluded on Saturday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin-City.
According to The PUNCH, the team secured a total of 27 medals: 12 gold, 8 silver, and 7 bronze, firmly establishing themselves as the dominant force in the competition.
YY Swimming Club claimed the runner-up spot with a commendable haul of 7 gold, 6 silver, and 3 bronze medals, while the host team, Edo State, settled for third place with 4 gold, 9 silver, and 6 bronze medals.
The remaining positions saw Jimi Oshinowo Swimming Club, Bayelsa, Ogun, Oyo, Rivers, Aqua Swimming Club, and Kano State rounding out the top ten, finishing 4th through 10th, respectively.
In individual events, Oka Dorcas of YY Swimming Club, Lagos, emerged victorious in the women’s 200m Individual Medley, clocking a time of 2:45.94.
Edo State’s Peremoboere Kimiakigha finished second with a time of 2:53.73, while Gift Obodo from Bayelsa State claimed third place with a time of 3:15.63.
The men’s 200m Individual Medley saw Shedrack Simon, also from YY Swimming Club, take first place with a time of 2:30.48. Rivers State’s Dino Ebarakumo followed closely, securing second place in 2:32.31, with Forcados Kingsley from Edo State finishing third in 2:34.35.
In the boys’ 50-meter freestyle developmental category, Delta State’s Aidan Dumeje took the top spot with an impressive time of 26.23 seconds.
Edo’s Tissa Precious came in second, clocking 27.06 seconds, and Delta’s Olise Endurance finished third in 27.76 seconds.
For the women’s 50m breaststroke, Dorcas Oka from YY Academy dominated, finishing in 34.60 seconds.
Edo’s Peremoboere Kimiakigha came in second, recording a time of 37.24 seconds, while Adeju Favour from Aqua Sports secured third place with a time of 38.78 seconds.
Chairman of the Edo State Aquatic Association, Clement Minabowan, expressed his delight at the successful hosting of the championship.
He extended his gratitude to the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, for entrusting him and his team with the responsibility of organizing the event, highlighting the significance of such competitions in fostering athletic talent in the state.
