ASABA – Team Edo’s momentum at the 9th National Youth Games continued on Day 3 with outstanding performances across several sports.
Weightlifting once again proved to be a medal hub, as Beauty Akpore extended Edo’s dominance by winning gold in the 53kg snatch and 80kg clean and jerk (female category), ahead of athletes from Lagos (silver) and Plateau (bronze).
Media officer to the Executive Chairman, Edo state sport Commission, Wilson Edoko said so far, weightlifting alone has contributed 9 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals to Team Edo’s tally.
In gymnastics, it was a medal rain for Edo athletes who clinched 5 gold and 1 silver. Wisdom Ikede shone brightest with three individual gold medals, while Aliu Solomon added one gold and one silver. Ocheke Excel secured an additional silver.
Swimming also produced joy for Edo, as Tissa Precious won gold in the 50m female freestyle. Team Edo’s 4x100m relay squad added a silver medal to the haul.
The Rugby teams impressed with dominant displays. The female side defeated Ogun 17-0 and Abia 5-0 to reach the semi-finals. In the male category, Edo demolished Abia 31-0 but narrowly lost 0-5 to Delta, still qualifying for the semi-finals after a thrilling encounter.
Beach Volleyball brought more success as the female team defeated Niger 2-0, while the male team overcame Oyo 2-0, with both sides advancing to the next stage.
Elsewhere, Edo bagged bronze in the Ayo doubles (male) competition, finishing behind Delta (gold) and Lagos (silver). The female doubles team, however, exited in the quarterfinals after a 0-2 loss to Oyo. In Para Table Tennis, Ivie Peculiar Edogiawerie and Quadri Adekunle Mustapha won bronze in the mixed doubles event.
Despite a narrow 15-21 loss to Abia in a crucial fixture, Team Edo remains firmly in contention.
As of Day 3, Team Edo has won 17 gold, 4 silver, and 6 bronze medals – a total of 27 medals.
Team Edo remains focused and determined as the Games progress.
