Obia's 12 gold medals win trophy for Rivers
By Christian Okpara
OLYMPIAN, Obia Inyengyikabo, showed why she is the best female swimmer in Nigeria last Friday by winning 12 gold medals to lead Rivers State to victory at the 4th Rivers State Governor's Cup Open Swimming Championships.
Rivers won with an unassailable 16 gold and three silver medals to beat Delta State to the second position with nine gold, 11 silver and 15 bronze medals.
Edo State finished third with eight gold, eight silver and five bronze medals.
Rivers also produced the best male and female swimmers in Eric Williams, who won four gold and two silver medals, and Obia Inyengiyikabo.
Both swimmers equally created new national records in their specialities.
Williams, swimming in the 200 meters breaststroke, shaved 26 seconds off his old record of 2.35.51 seconds set in 2003, while Obia created a new record in the 50 meters butterfly event with a time of 31.12 seconds to erase into history the 31.25 seconds old record set by Ikaghoemi Joshua, also of Rivers in 1994.
Although the final of the championship was further brought back by a day, the thrills and glamour was not lost as new stars also emerged in the pool.
Sixteen years old SS1 student, Samson Opuako of Delta, created sensation of some sort when he defeated established stars like Eric Williams and Australia-based Gentle Offoin in the hotly contested 400 meters individual medley and 200 meters backstroke final respectively.
In the water-polo event, Bayelsa defeated Edo 4-2 to win the gold medal.
Sponsor of the championship, who is also the President of the Nigeria Swimming Federation, Dr. Peter Odili, was on hand to give out medals and cash prizes to deserving swimmers and states.
"This year's edition of the Governor's Cup Swimming Championship has witnessed a lot of improvements. We have seen some new talents and above all new records have been created," said the swimming federation boss.
Twenty-seven states and clubs, including two unattached swimmers attended the competition.
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