Edo State’s rising star Osaretin Godwin delivered one of the biggest upsets of the 2025 National Sports Festival (NSF), Gateway Games 2024, defeating Olympian Ese Ukpeseraye in the Women’s 200m Sprint Final held near Kobape, along the Sagamu-Abeokuta Expressway in Ogun State.
The 17-year-old cyclist surged past Nigeria’s first Olympic cyclist in a dramatic photo-finish, clinching gold by mere inches and ending Ukpeseraye’s hopes of a third consecutive title in the event.
Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Amadin Desmond Enabulele, hailed the teenager’s victory as “a powerful testament to determination, hard work, and the depth of talent in Edo’s grassroots sports development.”
In a statement issued through his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele praised Osaretin for her exceptional feat, noting that the Edo Government’s investment in youth sport under Governor Monday Okpebholo was already yielding results.
“We all know Ukpeseraye has been dominant, having won this title in both Edo 2020 and Delta 2022,” Enabulele said. “But in a stunning turn of events, Osaretin rose from relative obscurity to beat the reigning champion twice, denying her a third straight gold.”
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The chairman emphasised that Osaretin’s triumph carried even greater weight given her junior status. “To see a teenager go head-to-head with an Olympian and come out on top – that’s the true essence of sports development,” he said.
“This is the model Nigeria must embrace: discovering raw talent at the community level and grooming them for elite competition.”
Despite Team Edo already securing several medals in the festival, Enabulele singled out Osaretin’s gold as particularly symbolic, describing it as “a milestone moment that will inspire young athletes nationwide.”
Reacting after the race, an elated Osaretin said: “I’m very happy to finally achieve my dream of winning a gold medal at the National Sports Festival, which is mostly for elite athletes. I give all glory to God.”
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In an unexpected twist during the final sprint, Ukpeseraye initially raised her hands in celebration, mistakenly believing she had won.
However, a video-assisted photo finish confirmed that Osaretin had edged ahead, handing the Edo youngster a career-defining victory. Ukpeseraye settled for silver, while Mary Samuel of Delta State took bronze.
