Michelle Ibidapo, 13, a swimmer for Team Oyo and a student at The Grange School in Ikeja, won the gold medal in the women’s 1,500-meter freestyle competition at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
After being spotted during the National Youth Games in Asaba, Michelle started to gain popularity in the country’s sports scene. Her recent triumph at Nigeria’s top multi-sport competition highlights how quickly she rose through the ranks of competition.
Michelle reflected on her performance after the race, saying, “Coming into this competition, I was focused. I had my mind on winning a medal, even though I wasn’t sure what colour. During the last lap, I reminded myself to stay focused, and by the end, it turned into gold.”
Michelle’s triumph at the National Sports Festival serves as a testament to the Youth Games’ ability to spot up-and-coming talent and make it possible for young athletes like her to advance their careers and compete on bigger stages.