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Taiwo ended Esugo's 15+ year reign in the 10m air rifle event.
Taiwo Ogunbanwo of Team Ogun stunned the crowd and upended expectations by clinching gold in the Men’s 10m Air Rifle event at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival.
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Ogunbanwo outperformed seven elite shooters, including Nigeria’s long-reigning number one, Okposo Esugo of Delta State. With a powerful display of focus and accuracy, Taiwo fired 24 shots across 12 rounds, amassing 225.4 points, narrowly edging out Esugo, who scored 223.5 points. Samuel Okanlawon of Borno State settled for bronze with 204.0 points at the Cinema Hall of the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
The victory marks a big moment in Nigeria’s shooting sports history. Esugo has dominated the 10m air rifle event for over 15 years, making Ogunbanwo’s victory not just a personal triumph but a monumental shift in the discipline.
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“I give glory to God and thank the Ogun State Government for the support,” Ogunbanwo said after the event.
“The adequate preparation, good working tools, and the N2.5 million promised by Governor Dapo Abiodun were huge motivations. It really lifted my spirit and pushed me to give my all," he said.
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Beyond his gold, Ogunbanwo also paired with Oluremi Emmanuel to win silver in the Men’s Team 10m Air Rifle event. The pair narrowly lost out to Delta State’s team of Esugo and Diri Joseph, who secured gold.
The win is a major boost to Team Ogun’s medal standings at their home festival, underlining the state's investment in nurturing local talent and providing top-tier training facilities ahead of the games.
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