By Ben Efe 22.2.2026
Up and coming short distance runner Hephzibah Okon lived up to expectations as she easily won the gold of the women’s 800m final at the 2nd Niger Delta Games decided on Sunday.
Okon,13, representing Akwa Ibom State has been growing steadily from the grassroots running from an early age of eight.
At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium she announced her arrival with aplomb coming from behind at the 200m mark to beat Godsmind Eteng to the gold. Okon finished at 2.18.83sec. Eteng won silver for Cross River State with a time of 2.19.01secs. Rejoice Anochie of Delta State took the bronze at 2.20.28secs.
Okon revealed her excitement after breasting the tape to earn a standing ovation from watching spectators.
“Last time in Uyo, I didn’t win anything and me coming here to win the gold is very exciting to me.
“I wasn’t thinking about the other runners but just running my race.”
She added that her aim is to win a double by taking 1500m gold to show appreciation to the Akwa Ibom State governor Eno.
“I’m happy that I won and want to win the 1500m to show my appreciation to the governor of Akwa Ibom State who has been so supportive of us athletes, we are motivated to go far in track and field.”
The men’s race was tight, but Solomon Eloghosa coasted to the gold finishing at 1.56.74secs. Samson Teibowei of Bayelsa who led the chasing pack finished at 1.56.84secs and Owolabi Temileyin won the bronze for Ondo State with a time of 1.57.71.
Some other results on Sunday saw Mary Innocent of Delta State dominated the field winning with a time of 59.87secs, Esther Ifechukwu of Imo won silver with a time of 62.24secs, Akwa Ibom’s Emediong Sunday took the bronze with 62.54secs.
Oseiwe Salami Ahusimnre of Edo State was also excellent in the men’s race he dusted his fellow competitors from with a clear 20m as race to the gold with a time of 51.73, Daniel Ovie finished at 53.79secs for the silver and Endurance Ifeanyi also of Delta clocking 56.26secs for the bronze.
The events continue Monday with men and women 400m and relay lined up.
