Benson Idahosa University student and Bayelsa State-born swimmer Peremoboere Kimiakicha, who won the gold medal in the 100m women’s breaststroke event at the ongoing FASU Games, has said she was unfazed by Egyptian opposition.
Kimiakicha surprised everyone by winning the event with a time of 1:19.
Egyptians were widely tipped to win the event due to their experience.
Benson Idahosa University swimmers had earlier won silver in the 100m freestyle event and bronze in the backstroke event.
Kimiakicha, who was the standout performer in the swimming events of the games, revealed that she entered the pool with the determination to win the gold medal in the breaststroke event, having previously won silver and bronze in other events.
“This is my first time representing my school in any competition outside, but I started swimming when I was 10 years old in primary school.
“The motivation behind my winning the gold medal is my coach, who advised me not to be scared of anyone but to concentrate on my race.
“She said that even in situations where I know that those I am competing against have better training facilities, I should not be afraid of them.
“She also told me that if I had it in my mind that I could win, I would win; so I took her advice to improve my timing, and I was able to defeat the Egyptians,” she said.
Kimiakicha expressed her determination to win the gold medal to prove that class does not matter.
“I am determined to win a gold medal in the competition; so I tried to be myself. I was not afraid of anyone I was competing against.”
She commended her coach for preparing her mentally for the competition.
The event is being jointly hosted by the University of Lagos and Lagos State University.
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