Team Ogun’s Kolade Otunla delivered a landmark performance at the 22nd National Sports Festival — Gateway Games 2024 by winning gold in the men’s 100m backstroke and setting a new national and festival record.
Otunla stormed to victory with a time of 1:02.41 seconds, eclipsing the previous record of 1:04.61, set in 2018 by Abara Kuma Dilo of Rivers State.
His historic swim follows teammate Omolola Tobiloba’s earlier gold medal in the women’s 800m freestyle, marking a strong outing for Team Ogun’s swimming contingent and igniting fresh hopes for a revival in Nigerian swimming.
Otunla, speaking shortly after his race, credited hard work and his coach’s influence in reaching this milestone.
“I am so happy and grateful. What I want to tell you guys is that swimming is not about rushing or breaking out too hard. Just make sure you stay on your pace.
“70% of your effort should be when you’re going, and once you’re coming back, sprint at 100%. When you get to 5 metres, just keep your head straight and maintain your pace — that’s the key.
“I’m so happy, and all thanks to the person who sponsored me to this level. Thanks to my coach, he’s been the one training me, waking me up every day. It’s not by my power.”
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He also expressed his ambition to represent Nigeria at the Olympic level.
“I wish to be the Olympic champion, and I’m working towards it.”
The Nigeria Aquatics Federation confirmed that Otunla’s record-breaking time is pending official ratification.
Just before Otunla’s feat, Tobiloba Akinsanmi also made history by winning gold in the women’s 800m freestyle — becoming the first athlete to secure a swimming gold medal at the Gatewasy games 2024 for host state Ogun.
The UK-based Akinsanmi defied the odds to claim Ogun’s first gold medal of the Games and the state’s first-ever gold in the women’s 800-metre freestyle event.
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A visibly elated Akinsanmi reflected on her achievement, noting it was the product of long-term dedication.
“Winning the women’s 800-metre freestyle was by no means an easy task,” she said. “It took a lot of hard work and years of consistent training to get to this level.”
In her race, Akinsanmi overcame an early third-place position to power through for the win.
“The 800m is a long race, so I had to prepare mentally,” she said. “Even though I started in third, I kept telling myself I was ready to win. At the halfway point, I pushed harder and believed I would get the gold.”
“My body was hurting, but I reminded myself that I had trained for this moment. When I touched the wall, the pain disappeared.”
“I’m going to break the record, win more medals, and keep believing in myself.”
Both athletes earned ₦2.5 million each, under the incentive scheme announced by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun to reward gold medallists at the festival.
