Delta State darter Patricia John showed remarkable grit at the National Sports Festival, defeating Rivers State 8–0 in the first leg of the women’s 501 singles knockout on Wednesday—despite suffering a fall just days earlier.
“I’m Patricia John Egara, representing Delta State in dart,” she told Sports247 at the Abeokuta Sports Club. “I won 8–0, so I’m moving to the next leg.”
Patricia John, a veteran of the sport since 2007 with her first major outing in Kaduna 2009, competed with pain after slipping on a hostel staircase last Saturday.
“I fell from the staircase at the hostel,” she revealed. “Even with my hand pulled,I’m a determined person. I never back down.”
When asked how she prepares mentally and physically, Patricia explained her flexible routine. “Sometimes I listen to music, sometimes I sit alone, or I talk to fellow competitors—whichever helps me focus.”
Reflecting on changes since the last festival in Delta 2022, she praised the current hosts for improving competition facilities. “The hosts actually threw us off a bit because of our competition ground and all that.
But it’s going well now. They’ve been able to get back on their feet and they’ve settled everything now.”
Despite facing strong young darters from various states, John welcomed the fresh talent. “I saw a lot of young people here, and I’m happy. I even congratulated coaches on their grassroots players. It keeps the sport alive—not just the old faces like us.”
With her knockout spot secured, Patricia John aims to continue her winning run and bring home a medal for Delta State.
