After a turbulent week marked by injury and disappointment, Comfort James of Akwa Ibom State delivered one of the most inspiring performances of the National Sports Festival, storming to GOLD in the women’s 800m final with a Festival Record and Personal Best of 2:04.06.
Just days ago, James suffered a freak accident, slipping in the bathroom and injuring her left eye. Yet, with a swollen eye and a fierce determination, she bounced back in remarkable fashion.
In a gripping final where the lead changed multiple times, James timed her kick to perfection, holding off a strong challenge from Oyo’s Yinka Bantefa-Mulero, who also ran a PB of 2:04.64 to earn Silver. Rivers State’s Rhoda Adisa joined them on the podium with a PB of 2:05.11 to take Bronze. James’ victory marked Akwa Ibom’s 10th GOLD medal at the Festival, lifting the state into 10th place overall.
In the men’s 800m, Hamid Sambo erased the sting of a 1500m Silver earlier in the week with a masterclass in pacing, clocking 1:51.10 to claim GOLD. His even splits and controlled strategy paid off in full, as he finally secured the top podium finish many expected from him in Abeokuta.
Over the barriers, Wisdom Musa of Delta State ended years of near-misses by finally capturing the men’s 110m Hurdles crown. With a clean and aggressive run, Musa claimed GOLD in a Season’s Best of 14.15s (-1.0), holding off Edo’s Samuel Osadolor, who clocked 14.31s for Silver. Kwara’s Olawale Abdullahi earned Bronze in 14.33s, in what was one of the most tightly contested hurdles races in recent festival memory.
Faith Osamuyi lit up the women’s 100m Hurdles final, delivering the race of her life to win her first-ever NSF title. Representing Edo State, Osamuyi was untouchable from the gun, powering to a new Personal Best of 13.23s (-0.8). Her commanding lead left no doubt, as Oyo’s Grace Ayemoba took Silver in 14.21s, and Anambra’s Janet Sunday came in third with 14.40s.
Meanwhile, Team Rivers’ Sade Olatoye again proved her dominance in the throws. Just two days after landing in Nigeria, the Rivers State star secured her second GOLD medal—this time in the women’s Shot put. Despite having to halt her series due to slippery conditions caused by rain, Olatoye’s best effort of 15.43m was more than enough to take GOLD, adding to the Hammer throw title she had already won on Tuesday.
