Junior secondary school athlete Uyaiabasi Okon has expressed determination to bounce back stronger after claiming a silver medal in the Cadet Girls’ 400m at the MTN CHAMPS meet in Calabar.
The 12-year-old sprinter finished second in the race but admitted she was not fully satisfied with the outcome, insisting that she had aimed for the gold medal.
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“I am not excited with the silver medal though. I promised the gold,” Okon said after the race.
Despite the disappointment, the young athlete remains motivated and has already set her sights on her next event. She revealed that she is eager for another showdown with the teammate who finished ahead of her in the 400m.
“I will get my revenge when we face off again in the 200m,” she added confidently.
Okon also spoke about how her passion for athletics began, revealing that her involvement in track and field was inspired by her sister, who introduced her to the sport.
According to the young runner, competing on the track has been an exciting experience, and she enjoys the challenge of testing herself in different events.
Although primarily focused on the sprint events, Okon disclosed that she has also competed in middle-distance races, including the 800m and 1500m, as she continues to develop her endurance and versatility as a young athlete.
Her performance at the MTN CHAMPS highlights the growing pool of emerging talents within Nigeria’s grassroots athletics structure, with competitions like the Calabar meet providing a platform for young athletes to gain exposure and competitive experience.
With determination and youthful confidence on her side, Uyaiabasi Okon will now look forward to the 200m event, where she hopes to turn her silver medal disappointment into a gold-medal performance.
