1st Right, Fubara Owonoro, Chairman, NUGA Committee on Yachting and Rowing, supervising the event at the 27th
Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) athletes, Ikechukwu Victor and Edeh Elora Chineneye, emerged champions in the men’s and women’s 600-metre rowing-ergometer events at the ongoing 27th Nigerian University Games (NUGA) in Jos.
Ikechukwu claimed gold with a time of 23.15 seconds, while Erefagm Dide Ikeme of Niger Delta University (NDU) secured silver in 24.04, and Dauda Wangmadung of Nigerian Army University, Biu (NAUB) finished third with 24.20.
In the women’s category, Edeh Elora maintained ESUT’s dominance, rowing to gold in 27.46 seconds ahead of James Durai of NAUB (29.16) and Adaji Joy of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM) (30.07). Adirimo Happiness of NDU came fourth with 30.25.
Chairman, NUGA Committee on Yachting and Rowing, Fubara Owonoro, told Campulse News that ergometers were used in place of canoes due to facility constraints.
“We planned for open-water races but switched to indoor rowing. Endurance remains the key technical demand,” he explained.
Owonoro added that 13 universities registered for the sport, but only nine are participating across the 6,000 m, 2,000 m, 1,000 m, and 500 m events, with 48 medals up for grabs.
Despite the late-night schedule, the atmosphere remained charged with cheers from supporters.
Gold medalist Ikechukwu Victor said he only learned about the ergometer event three days earlier and prepared by watching online tutorials.
“I’d never used it before. I failed in the 800 m and 1,500 m races, but that pushed me to win this,” he said.
Women’s gold medalist Edeh Elora said the victory was emotional.
“The cheers from my school and family kept me going. It’s my first NUGA gold, and I’m grateful,” she said.
Bronze medalist Dauda Wangmadung of NAUB expressed mixed feelings.
“I aimed for gold, but I’m proud of my performance. Determination kept me going,” he said.
