Team Imo Strikes Gold, Expands Medal Haul at Edo 2026 Niger Delta Games
Sunday, February 22, 2026 will remain a memorable day for Team Imo at the ongoing Edo 2026 2nd Niger Delta Games in Benin City, as the Eastern Heartland celebrated its first gold medal of the competition and added multiple podium finishes to boost its standing.
The breakthrough gold medal came through Akubueze Martin Awunezie, who delivered a powerful performance in the Men’s 65kg Para Powerlifting category, lifting an impressive 155kg to secure the state’s first gold of the Games.
Team Imo’s athletics contingent also shone brightly. Ifechukwu Esther Nwankwo clinched a silver medal in the women’s 400m hurdles, clocking a commendable time of 62.24 seconds to earn the state’s second athletics medal of the competition. Earlier in the Games, Blessing Ukaoha had opened Team Imo’s medal account with a podium finish in the shot put event.
In Para Powerlifting, Eugenia Chioma Enwere added another silver medal in the Women’s 45kg category with a lift of 70kg, further strengthening the team’s tally.
The bronze medals also flowed in from the powerlifting arena, with Nkemjika Cletus Iwuoha (Men’s 72kg, 145kg lift), Ujunwa Chinyere Obianuju (Women’s 86+kg, 90kg lift), and Kasarachi Maryjane Ugochukwu (Women’s 67kg, 82kg lift) all finishing strongly on the podium.
Wisdom Metu had earlier secured a bronze medal in Taekwondo (Men’s 58kg), while Christogonus Umeyor capped off a productive day for the state with another bronze in the Traditional Wrestling Men’s 62kg category.
By the close of competition on Sunday, Team Imo’s medal haul stood at nine — 1 gold, 3 silver, and 5 bronze — marking a significant rise in fortunes and signalling stronger performances ahead as the Games continue in Benin City.
Team Imo Media
