Rivers Increases Medals Haul …Wins Three Swimming Gold Medals

Rivers State yesterday increased her medals haul at the ongoing National Sports Festival with three gold medals in swimming event holding at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Sports complex.

Dotimi Gagbe, opened the way as she won the 100 metres freestyle with finished time of 1.04.43 sec.

In the male category Ifang A. Nyong won the breast stroke style, while Dino Barakumo also emerged winner in the 200 metres freestyle at the time of 1.09.49 sec and 2.10.35 sec respectively.

In an interview with Dotimi Gagbe, one of the gold medalists, shortly after the event, expressed happiness as the win makes it her second gold medal in swimming.

According to her, she achieved the feat through determination, discipline and hard work, saying that her ambition was to become the best festival female swimmer in the world.

“Today is a very happy day for me because this is my second gold medal. The first was in Kaduna and today is another one”, Gagbe said.

The two gold medalist advised sportsmen and women to be dedicated to whatever sports they are doing, adding that it will assist them achieve their dreams and aspirations.

“What I am advising my fellow athletes is to be dedicated to any sports they are doing, not only that determination and self discipline are another key factors to success.”

She equally, commended the organisers for providing a standard swimming pool and conducive environment for the competition, adding that it had really shown that Rivers State was  ready to host the games considering the quality of the swimming pools.

Tonye Orabere