Sports
Records Tumble As 4th CNS Swimming Championship Ends
Eric Williams of Rivers provided an exciting end to the 4th Chief of Naval Staff Open Swimming Competition in Calabar when he broke a six-year national record in the men’s 50 metres Breaststroke.
Williams had also set a national record of 29:80 in 2007, the competition record of 29:89 in 2011 and the new record of 29: 74 seconds in 2012.
The events competed for included 16 males, 16 females, 28 individuals and four relay races.
Seven old competition records were also broken in this year’s championship which attracted swimmers from 15 teams from different states.
Faith Edorodion of Team Edo set a new competition record of 1:12:51 in the women’s 100 metres Butterfly and in the 50 metres Butterfly, when she returned with a time of 31: 41. 32.
She had set the old competition mark of 1:15:07 in the 100 metres butterfly and national record of 1:07:71 in the same event in 2011.
Edorodion also holds the competition record of 31:86 seconds in the 50 metres butterfly and the national record of 29:97 set respectively at the third edition of the championship in Ilorin, Kwara, in 2011.
Rachael Tonjor, of Edo who holds the national and competition records of 33:81 and 35:17 in 50 metres Breaststroke, women, in 2011 set a new competition record of 35:13.
Samson Opuakpo, of Delta, who holds the national and competition records of 1:01:19 and 1:06:94 respectively in 100 metres men’s Backstroke sets a new competition record of 1:03:07.
Another record breaker was Ifieziegbe Gagbe of Bayelsa, who clocked a time of 2:44:23 seconds to erase the previous 2:44:43 in 200 metres Individual Medley Women set by Rachael Tonjor in 2011 and set a new competition record.
Although she failed to beat the national record of 2:39:49 set by Ikaghoemi Joshua of Team Rivers in 1992, Gagbe also set a new competition record in 200 metres Backstroke women with a time of 2:55:24.
She returned a time of 2:55:24 in Calabar to erase the time of 2:55:77 she had set in 2011. Obia Inyengiyikabo of Rivers holds the national record of 2:43:64 set in the event in 1992.
The competition record of 5:21:36 set in 4×100 metres Medley Relay Women in 2011 by Team Edo, was also broken by the same team when it returned with the new time of 5:13:17.
Our correspondent reports that Opuakpo of Delta emerged as the Best Overall Male swimmer in eight individual races and second in one individual race in the competition.
Gagbe of Bayelsa won in the female category when she picked first positions in eight individual women races.
Team Delta won the Best Overall state prize when it emerged first in nine races, second in 9 other races and third in 13 races.
The Nigeria police team emerged the best team in five events, second in three team events and third slots in five events at the championship.
Speaking while declaring the competition closed, Vice-Admiral Ola Ibrahim, the Chief of Naval Staff, urged the Swimming Federation of Nigeria to initiate ways to make the sport more popular.
Represented by Rear-Admiral Ibokette Ibas, Navy Secretary, Ibrahim stressed that the competition was part of efforts to develop the sport.
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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