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The Oyo State swimmer, who hopes to represent Nigeria at the Olympics one day, took a major leap forward in her journey by clinching gold in the women’s 1,500m freestyle at the ongoing 2024 National Sports Festival (NSF), also known as the Gateway Games, in Ogun State.
Her stunning win not only earned her a place at the top of the podium on Day 5 of the festival but also ended a seven-year medal drought for Team Oyo in swimming.
The achievement came just 24 hours after she had secured a silver medal in the 200m breaststroke—her first-ever outing at a senior national event.
Ibidapo poses with her medal | Credit: Team Oyo Media
Michelle’s performance is more than just a breakout moment. It is the latest chapter in the story of a young athlete whose passion, discipline, and talent have quickly elevated her into national recognition.
Discovered talent, developed promise
Michelle was first discovered at the National Youth Games in Asaba, where her potential in the pool stood out. Since then, she has trained steadily under the watchful eyes of local coaches in Oyo State, steadily improving her times and technique.
Her rapid development is a strong example of what Nigeria’s youth sports pipeline can achieve when talent is supported early.
At the Gateway Games, she competed with calm determination, showing maturity well beyond her years. After the race, she reflected on her mindset during the competition.
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“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,” she told PREMIUM TIMES.
Her time and composure in the water drew praise from spectators and officials alike, as the young swimmer held her pace throughout the grueling 1,500m event—often seen as one of the most demanding races in swimming.
The 13-year-old receiving her gold medal
A gold medal with a bigger meaning
For Team Oyo, Michelle’s win is not just about the medal. It represents a breakthrough—a sign that with the right structures in place, new generations of athletes can rise and deliver on the national stage. Before Michelle’s gold, Oyo hadn’t won a swimming gold medal at the NSF since 2017.
Beyond the personal and state achievements, Michelle is keeping her eyes firmly on the future.
“What I’ve achieved today is just a start,” she said. “My dream is to represent Nigeria at the Olympics one day, and I believe that with hard work, gold is possible there too.”
Her performance sends a powerful message to Nigeria’s sports authorities: that early investment in young athletes can produce world-class results.
READ ALSO: NSF: Team Ogun shines at Gateway Games with gold in 4x400m Mixed Relay
With proper training facilities, exposure, and sustained support, talents like Michelle can go from promising swimmers to global competitors.
What lies ahead
As the 2024 National Sports Festival continues, Michelle remains a name to watch—not just for her current medals, but for what she could become.
Her success story reflects the potential waiting to be unlocked across Nigeria’s youth sports landscape.
For now, the young swimmer returns to the pool with one gold, one silver, and a nation beginning to take notice.
Her dream of standing on the Olympic stage may have seemed distant a few years ago. Today, it feels a little more real.
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