Ronke Akanbi of Ogun State delivered the performance of her life to clinch gold in the women’s 1500m final, showcasing both grit and strategy to outclass her rivals and set a new personal best of 4:17.90.
In a race that had the home fans at the edge of their seats, Akanbi timed her surge to perfection, pulling away from Akwa Ibom’s Comfort James in the final lap to seal the victory.
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Her calculated approach paid off handsomely, earning her not just the gold medal but also a new career milestone.
“I knew I had to be patient and strike at the right moment,” an elated Akanbi said after the race. “It’s a dream come true to win gold with a personal best. All the hard work is paying off.”
Comfort James, who had led for most of the race, was forced to settle for silver with a time of 4:26.79.
Despite the disappointment, she remained gracious in defeat, acknowledging Akanbi’s superior tactics on the day.
Lagos State’s Grace Onah completed the podium, finishing in 4:38.25 to take home the bronze.
The final was one of the standout events of the athletics programme, with spectators thrilled by the intensity and the dramatic finish.
For Akanbi, it marks a new chapter in her blossoming career, as she now eyes future national and international competitions with renewed confidence.
