Multiple gold medallist at the National Sports Festival ,NSF, Deborah Okpochini, has admitted feeling nervous and doubtful before winning gold in the 1,500m swimming event.
The reports have that Okpochini, who set a 100m freestyle record of 1:03.05 at the 2018 NSF, added another gold to her haul.
She broke a 27-year-old record previously held by Ikaghoemi Joshua during that 2018 outing in Asaba.
In spite of the recent gold medal, Okpochini confessed that she doubted her ability before the race began.
“I never believed I could win the 1,500m swimming event. I was jittery, having placed third in my first two races.
“To the glory of God, I won. I was overwhelmed and asked myself, ‘Have you really won the gold medal?’
“I give all glory to God. I was nervous knowing swimmers from Ogun and Edo States came with foreign athletes, but it didn’t affect me eventually.
“Overall, it wasn’t a bad performance. I retained my top position in the 1,500m, which I’ve consistently won”, Okpochini added.
The national record holder admitted she was not fully prepared for the festival but had done some training.
