Delta State swimmer Clinton Opute delivered a sensational performance in the men’s 200 metres butterfly event at the ongoing National Sports Festival, “Gateway Games 2024,” setting a new national record and capturing the gold medal in the process.
Opute touched the wall in 2 minutes, 10.8 seconds—an astonishing time that not only secured him first place but also broke a national record that had stood unchallenged for 16 years.
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The previous benchmark of 2:13.1 seconds, established in 2006, was convincingly surpassed by Opute’s remarkable display, sparking widespread admiration and excitement within Nigeria’s swimming community.
Following his historic swim at the MKO Abiola Stadium’s Swimming Pool Arena on Thursday, Opute expressed surprise upon learning the significance of his result.
“I didn’t know I broke the record,” he said.
After the confirmation of his new record, Opute revealed that the moment ignited an even deeper drive within him.“Immediately I confirmed I broke the national record, I felt more hunger to do more.
“God has been faithful, and my coach has been doing a great job,” he added.
For the young swimmer, earning a national record means more than the gold medal itself.“It feels great to be a national record holder than the gold medal,” Opute stated.
Still, his ambitions stretch far beyond local triumphs. His sights are firmly set on competing—and succeeding—at the global stage.
“My aim is for the Olympics; we need the right investment in our sports to get a podium finish globally.”
This recent accomplishment is the latest highlight in Opute’s swimming journey.
Earlier this year, he was part of the Nigerian relay team that claimed the country’s first swimming medal in over three decades at the 13th African Games in Ghana. The quartet finished the men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay in 3:26.01.
While Opute’s new national record is awaiting formal ratification by the Nigeria Aquatic Federation, his feat has already inspired optimism across Nigeria’s sporting circles and reaffirmed the potential of Nigerian athletes on the international stage.
