NUGA 2025 Swimming: Delta State University Dominate Opening Day as BIU’s Kimiakigha Joy Emerges the Star Performer

NUGA 2025 Swimming: Delta State University Dominate Opening Day as BIU’s Kimiakigha Joy Emerges the Star Performer

The swimming events at the 2025 Nigerian University Games (NUGA) opened on Monday, 10 November, with powerful individual displays, tight finishes, and a clear early narrative: Delta State University (DELSU) and Benson Idahosa University (BIU) have set the pace for the rest of the championship.

Across ten events, athletes battled in individual medleys, sprints, backstroke showdowns, and relay duels, producing 29 total medals on Day One. By the end of proceedings, DELSU surged to the top of the medals table with 10 medals (5 gold, 5 silver), while BIU held second place with 5 gold medals, all from spectacular individual brilliance.

Below is the full breakdown of the major storylines.

Kimiakigha Joy Lights Up the Pool with Triple Gold

If Day One needed a headline act, Benson Idahosa University’s Kimiakigha Joy provided it. Joy produced the most dominant individual performance of the day, securing three gold medals across three highly competitive women's events:

• 200m Individual Medley – 1st (2:58.97)

• 50m Breaststroke – 1st (37.68)

• 100m Freestyle – 1st (1:09.54)

Her consistency across different strokes, a full medley, a sprint breaststroke, and freestyle, showcases exceptional versatility and positions her as an early MVP contender.

Ernest Saliu Leads DELSU’s Early Charge

On the men’s side, DELSU’s Ernest Saliu was the anchor of the institution’s dominance, contributing multiple gold-winning performances:

• 200m Butterfly – 1st (2:52.49)

• 100m Freestyle – 2nd (1:01.03)

• 200m Backstroke – 1st (3:01.65)

Saliu was also the final leg in DELSU’s 4 × 100m Men’s Medley Relay, where the team finished 2nd overall (5:35.56).

DELSU’s depth and not just individual talent was their greatest advantage. Across men’s and women’s heats, they repeatedly placed swimmers in podium positions, especially in the gruelling butterfly, backstroke, and relay events.

Women’s Events: DELSU, OAU, and UI Pick Up Key Points

200m Individual Medley (Women)

The opening race of the day set the tone. While BIU’s Joy took gold, DELSU’s Garry Tamarausheneni earned silver (3:12.31), while OAU’s Osinaike Shalom captured bronze with an impressive 2:52.80—one of the best OAU times of the day.

50m Breaststroke (Women)

Joy sprinted to victory again, followed by DELSU’s Walker Rouna (48.84) and OAU’s Adebayo Oluwademilade (49.21). UI secured 4th and 5th, earning valuable team points even without medals.

100m Freestyle (Women)

Joy completed her hat-trick, again followed by DELSU’s Tamarau Edeneni and OAU’s Shalom. UI placed fourth and fifth, underscoring the university’s strong presence in the mid-field.

200m Backstroke (Women)

DELSU picked up another gold through Garry Tamarau Diennemi (3:37.55), while UI’s Akinyemi Gloria and ABUAD’s Ale Oluwabukola finished 2nd and 3rd respectively. OAU finished 4th.

Men’s Events: BIU and DELSU in Close Contest, Maritime University Collect Crucial Points

200m Butterfly (Men)

DELSU’s Saliu Ernest ruled the field, with IAU Port Harcourt’s Dino Emotimifast taking silver and Nigerian Maritime University’s Ayibatari Tarilatel claiming bronze.

50m Breaststroke (Men)

BIU’s Urounah Victor held off DELSU’s Augustine Doulamughan in a tight finish (32.28 vs 34.45). Maritime University added another bronze via Eniepeigha Ego.
A key moment in this event was the disqualification of Monday Israel (Akwa Ibom State University) for an undisclosed infringement. It was one of the day’s few technical setbacks.

100m Freestyle (Men)

BIU struck gold again through Victor Urounah (59.93), while DELSU’s Saliu and Maritime University’s Ebiokanegbawei rounded out the podium.

200m Backstroke (Men)

Saliu (DELSU) claimed his second gold of the day in a comfortable win, ahead of fellow DELSU swimmer Dino Emotimifaha and AAUA’s Jamiu Abubakar.

Relays Deliver Drama and Tactical Battles

4×100m Mixed Freestyle Relay

DELSU delivered a strong team performance with Blessing Efeurhievwe, Garry Tamarau, Doulamughan Augustine, and Akpore Edafe finishing 2nd with 6:08.06.
UI’s team placed 3rd (6:19.62), showing good team balance but lacking the explosive anchor needed to challenge for silver.

4×100m Men’s Medley Relay

DELSU again secured 2nd place (5:35.56) with a controlled race featuring Oruma Tamaramiebi, Doulamughan Augustine, Timi Provider, and Saliu Ernest.
Nigeria Maritime University followed in 3rd place, while ABUAD placed 4th.

Day One Medals Table

Conclusion: A Fierce Week Ahead

Day One of the swimming events at NUGA 2025 delivered a mix of dominance, individual brilliance, and tactical duels. With DELSU leading and BIU pushing from behind, the championship narrative is already heating up. As more stroke specialties and relays unfold, the medal table is likely to shift.

If Day One is anything to go by, NUGA 2025’s swimming competition is set to deliver one of the most exciting editions in recent years.