Delta Swimmer Clinton Opute Shatters 16-Year National Record in 200m Butterfly Final
By Samuel Akpan | Abeokuta
A Historic Performance at Gateway Games 2024
Team Delta’s swimming sensation Clinton Opute has made history at the Gateway Games 2024 in Ogun State, breaking a 16-year-old national record in the Men’s 200m Butterfly final. The young athlete clocked an impressive 2:10.8 seconds, securing both a gold medal and a new national best time.
Record-Breaking Achievement
The swimming community is celebrating Opute’s remarkable performance, which surpassed the previous record of 2:13.1 seconds set in 2006. The stadium announcer confirmed: “The former record was set in 2006 in the time of 2:13.1 seconds. The new national record has just been set by Opute Clinton of Delta State with a time of 2:10.8 seconds.”
Opute’s Reaction to the Achievement
In an exclusive interview with Persecondnews at the MKO Abiola Stadium’s Swimming Pool Arena, Opute revealed he was unaware of his record-breaking feat initially. “I didn’t know I broke the record,” he admitted humbly.
However, upon confirmation, the swimmer felt motivated to push further: “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.”
Bigger Than Gold
For Opute, setting a national record holds greater significance than winning the gold medal. “It feels great to be a national record holder than the gold medal,” he shared. But his ambitions reach even higher: “My aim is for the Olympics; we need the right investment in our sports to get a podium finish globally.”
A Rising Star in Nigerian Swimming
Opute’s achievement builds on his growing reputation in Nigerian swimming. He was previously part of the swimming quartet that won Nigeria’s first medal after 33 years in the men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay at the 13th African Games in Ghana, clocking 3:26.01.
The new national record set by Opute is currently awaiting ratification by the Nigeria Aquatic Federation. Nevertheless, his performance has established a new benchmark for Nigerian swimmers and renewed hopes for Olympic success.
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