How 13-Year-Old Swimmer Michelle Ibidapo Won Gold at the National Sports Festival
Thirteen-year-old swimmer Michelle Ibidapo, a student of The Grange School in Ikeja, has made headlines after winning gold in the 1,500m women’s freestyle at the 2024 National Sports Festival in Ogun State. Michelle competed for Team Oyo and showed great determination to beat older and more experienced swimmers.
Michelle was first discovered at the National Youth Games in Asaba and has quickly risen through the ranks of Nigeria’s sports development system. Her gold medal win is proof of her hard work and the value of investing in young talent.
After the race in Shagamu, a proud Michelle spoke about her preparation and mindset. “Coming into this competition, I was focused,” she said. “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.”
Her victory shows how the National Youth Games help to discover new talents and give young athletes like Michelle a chance to grow and succeed on big stages.
