Lagos state wins maiden edition of BRF Judo competition

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the five -day competition, which took place at the Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, featured 10 states and one club, with 26 categories each. The Lagos team won 10 gold medals, nine silver and seven bronze medals, Nasarawa came second with five gold medals; while […]

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the five -day competition, which took place at the Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, featured 10 states and one club, with 26 categories each.

The Lagos team won 10 gold medals, nine silver and seven bronze medals, Nasarawa came second with five gold medals; while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) came third with two gold medals, two silver and two bronze medals.

The competition was held to prepare athletes and coaches for the forthcoming 18th National Sports Festival and also served as a forum to discover budding talents.

Following their brilliant outing, the Head Coach of the Lagos State Judo team, Omorodion Edokpolor expressed joy, saying: ‘Now I know my judokas are ready for the sports festival.’’

“I am very certain at this moment that we will not lose focus in achieving our ultimate goal because I am sure of winning gold medals,’’ she said.

She pledged that her judokas would not rest on their oars as they would be focused and determined.

Jide Daniel, a Lagos State judoka, who won gold in the men’s 73kg category, expressed his happiness.

“I am glad I won. It was not easy as I thought it would be, because our opponents also have the same reason to win with the same fitness level to match ours too.

“Now that I have fought fellow judoka from another state, I know what it feels like to compete in the sports festival.

“It is a different feeling entirely from fighting with my fellow judoka from the same state who you are used to fighting with,” Daniel said. (NAN)