Niger Delta Games: Team Edo’s Tissa, Ayeni, Peremoboere Shine In Swimming Upset, Dethroning Rivals

Team Edo delivered a stunning performance on the opening day of the swimming competition at the second Niger Delta Games in Benin, securing six of the nine available gold medals. The hosts displaced established powerhouses Rivers, Delta, and Bayelsa at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium’s aquatic centre.

Outstanding displays from Precious Tissa, Lucky Ayeni, and Joy Peremoboere propelled the Edo team to multiple victories, much to the delight of Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, and his management team, who were present to cheer on their athletes.

Precious Tissa, echoing his success at last year’s National Youth Games in Asaba, claimed gold in the men’s 50m Freestyle, while Lucky Ayeni triumphed in the women’s equivalent. Kolade Otunla also secured gold in the men’s 50m Backstroke.

Edo further demonstrated their strength by winning the men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay, featuring Albert Akintokun, Biloha Simeon, Precious Tissa, and Kolade Otunla. The formidable quartet of Nkonye Ziitaven, Peremoboere Joy, Ifelouwa Fumilayo, and Lucky Ayeni then clinched the women’s Medley Relay. Joy Peremoboere added another gold in the 100m Breaststroke.

Despite a strong showing, Kolade Silva earned silver in the 200m Individual Medley, and Nkonye Ziitaven secured silver in the 200m Freestyle. Imegbodofo Teminijesu took home bronze in the men’s 100m Breaststroke.

Team Edo initially faltered, failing to win any of the first three events: the men’s 200m Individual Medley, women’s 200m Freestyle, and men’s 100m Breaststroke. Team Delta secured gold in two of these, with Ondo claiming the women’s 200m Freestyle.

However, the “Heartbeat State” staged a remarkable comeback, winning all six of the day’s remaining events. Peremoboere initiated the gold rush with a comfortable victory in the women’s 100m Breaststroke, surpassing Delta’s Success Ebigide and Bayelsa’s Gloria Epekele.

Tissa followed suit, defeating Rivers State’s Idangofaka Tubotamuno in the men’s 50m Freestyle final, with Cross River’s Destiny Ajaka finishing third.

Lucky Ayeni delivered an extraordinary performance in the women’s 50m Freestyle, as did Kolade Otunla in the men’s 50m Breaststroke. Joy Peremoboere led Team Edo to victory in the women’s 4x100m Medley Relay, and the men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay was won in grand style.

Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele attributed Team Edo’s excellent start to their thorough preparation for the Games.

“Team Edo have been in camp for the past twenty-one days. We knew opponents are good. Early preparation is what gave us the results we are seeing here today,” he stated. “The team started preparing early, knowing that we are hosting to win, so the swimmers had a long time preparing for the Games.”