Omolola Tobiloba Akinsanmi made history at the 2024 Gateway Games as she became the first athlete to win a gold medal in the swimming category, triumphing in the 800-meter freestyle event while representing Ogun State, Sports247 reports.
The young swimmer, who recently returned from the United Kingdom to compete for her home state, delivered a stunning performance that not only won her gold but also the admiration of many.
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In a chat with Sports247 after her victory, Tobiloba opened up about the emotional and physical hurdles she had to overcome.
“The challenge is mostly mental,” she said. “My body was hurting, but I told myself, ‘I’ve trained for this moment.’ I kept striving, and when I touched the wall, all the pain just disappeared”.
Tobiloba, who began the race in third place, described her strategic buildup and mental resilience as the keys to her victory.
“The 800 is a very long event, so I had to prepare mentally. Even though I started in third, I kept telling myself, ‘I’m ready.
I’m going to win this.’ At the halfway mark, I pushed harder and started gaining speed. I said to myself, ‘I’m going to get this gold’ and I did.”
Her emotional win at the National Sports Festival underlines not just athletic excellence, but also personal determination and courage.
Looking ahead, Tobiloba is already focused on what comes next.
“I’m going to break the record,” she declared. “I’ll get more medals and keep believing in myself.”
Omolola Tobiloba’s inspiring journey from pain to podium proves that with the right mindset, anything is possible.
Her performance at the Gateway Games has set the pace for the rest of the swimming events and marked her as a rising star in Nigerian sports.
