BY Azuka Chiemeka.

Defending champions Team Delta showcased their championship pedigree on Day 4 of the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games, with a surge in the medals table and a historic performance in shooting.

Kate Otiti Esugo delivered a landmark moment for Team Delta by setting a new National and Festival record in the women’s 10m Air Rifle event.
The sharpshooter fired an astonishing 591.9 out of 600, falling just 9 points short of perfection and outclassing her closest rival, Zinna Aistle of Rivers State, who scored 579.4.

The record-breaking performance highlighted Delta’s growing dominance across multiple sports, as the team also impressed in swimming,securing key medals and strong finishes that contributed to their climb to second place on the overall medals table.

After Day 4 o the competition, Bayelsa State remains in the lead with 16 gold, 6 silver, and 5 bronze medals. But Delta’s Day 4 charge saw them leap from their previous spot to second place with 10 gold, 5 silver, and 6 bronze medals.
Osun State sits in third with 6 gold and 1 silver, followed closely by Rivers State with 5 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze. Lagos State rounds out the top five with 4 gold, 7 silver, and 10 bronze.
In other standings:
Oyo State is sixth with 4 gold, 2 silver, and 6 bronze.
Akwa Ibom follows in seventh with 4 gold and 1 silver.
Plateau State holds eighth place with 3 gold, 2 silver, and 6 bronze.
Cross River is ninth with 3 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze.

Edo State completes the top ten with 2 gold, 15 silver, and 16 bronze.
The Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) sit in 11th with 2 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze.

In total, 199 medals have been awarded at the end of Day 4: 61 gold, 61 silver, and 77 bronze, with more fireworks expected as the Festival progresses.

* Copied from Delta NUJ platform