2nd NDG: Team Imo Seeks Late Medal Surge in Volleyball, Handball and Others

Posted : 25 February 2026

Team Imo heads into the penultimate day of the 2nd Niger Delta Games in Benin City with renewed determination, seeking a strong finish despite occupying the bottom spot on the medals table with 2 gold, 8 silver, and 16 bronze medals.

The Eastern Heartland contingent has shown flashes of brilliance across several events, with standout performances particularly in athletics and para-powerlifting. Golden girl Blessing Ukaoha has been one of the bright sparks, clinching gold in the Girls’ Discus with a throw of 35.81m and adding a silver in Shot Put.

Esther Ogbuga powered her way to silver in the Girls’ 5000m (19:25.28), while Ifechukwu Esther Nwankwo secured another silver in the Girls’ 400m Hurdles (62.24s). Gerald Ukandu also contributed with bronze in the Boys’ Discus (32.69m).

Para-powerlifting delivered historic moments for Imo, producing the state’s first gold medal of the Games through Martin Awunezi, who lifted 155kg in the Men’s 65kg category. Eugenia Chioma Enwere claimed silver in the Women’s 45kg (70kg lift), while Cletus Iwuoha (72kg), Chinyere Obianuju (86+kg), and Ugochukwu Maryjane (67kg) added three bronze medals.

In weightlifting, Victory Maduabuchi secured a silver and bronze in the Boys’ 65kg category. Swimming yielded additional podium finishes, with Joseph Obugo grabbing silver in the Boys’ 100m Backstroke and bronze in the 50m Backstroke, while Toke Godgift added bronze in the Boys’ 200m Individual Medley.

Boxing produced three medals, including silver for Odinaka Okorie (Girls 51kg) and bronze medals for Joseph Ezeanaeche (65kg) and Ebere Tehundjo Nwoko (70kg). Traditional Wrestling also delivered silver through Favour Agaziem (Girls 42kg), with Christogonus Umeyor (Boys 62kg) and Onyedikachi Okoli (Boys 70kg) earning bronze medals.

Team Imo’s Boys’ Basketball team capped their campaign with a bronze medal after defeating Cross River 57–27 in the third-place game, while Taekwondo’s Wisdom Metu (-58kg) secured bronze. Tennis also contributed bronze medals in Mixed Doubles (Chimaobi Onuegbu & Favour Lucky), Girls’ Doubles (Favour Lucky & Ngozi Nwosu), and Boys’ Doubles (Chimaobi Onuegbu & Chinaemerem Onuegbu).

Next Showdowns: Triple Finals Against Host Edo

All eyes now shift to Day 5 as Team Imo engages host Edo State in three crucial team finals. The male and female volleyball teams will square off against Edo by 9 a.m. at Wire Road, while the handball team will face the hosts later at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin.

It promises to be a dramatic day of high-intensity action as Imo seeks redemption and a final medal surge before the curtains fall on the Games.

Medal Summary:

Athletics
Gold: Blessing Ukaoha – Girls Discus (35.81m)
Silver: Blessing Ukaoha – Shot Put; Esther Ogbuga – Girls 5000m (19:25.28); Ifechukwu Esther Nwankwo – Girls 400m Hurdles (62.24s)
Bronze: Gerald Ukandu – Boys Discus (32.69m)

Para-Powerlifting
Gold: Martin Awunezi – Men 65kg (155kg)
Silver: Eugenia Chioma Enwere – Women 45kg
Bronze: Cletus Iwuoha – 72kg; Chinyere Obianuju – 86+kg; Ugochukwu Maryjane – 67kg

Weightlifting
Silver: Victory Maduabuchi – Boys 65kg
Bronze: Victory Maduabuchi – Boys 65kg

Swimming
Silver: Joseph Obugo – Boys 100m Backstroke
Bronze: Joseph Obugo – Boys 50m Backstroke; Toke Godgift – Boys 200m Individual Medley

Boxing
Silver: Odinaka Okorie – Girls 51kg
Bronze: Joseph Ezeanaeche – 65kg; Ebere Tehundjo Nwoko – 70kg

Traditional Wrestling
Silver: Favour Agaziem – Girls 42kg
Bronze: Christogonus Umeyor – Boys 62kg; Onyedikachi Okoli – Boys 70kg

Basketball
Bronze: Boys Team

Taekwondo
Bronze: Wisdom Metu (-58kg)

Tennis
Bronze: Mixed Doubles – Chimaobi Onuegbu & Favour Lucky; Girls’ Doubles – Favour Lucky & Ngozi Nwosu; Boys’ Doubles – Chimaobi Onuegbu & Chinaemerem Onuegbu

2nd NDG: Team Imo Seeks Late Medal Surge in Volleyball, Handball and Others

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