NYG: Onabiyi Wins First Gold For Team Ogun, Set New National Shooting Record

ASABA – Team Ogun’s Atinuke Onabiyi solidified her position as Nigeria’s brightest young shooting talent on Monday after setting a new national record to win gold in the female individual 10m air rifle at the 2025 National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State.

The prodigy, who had already broken barriers at last year’s Games by becoming the first athlete to shoot above 500 points, went one better this time by registering 551 points out of 600 to claim her first individual gold. She finished ahead of rivals from Bayelsa and Delta, who took silver and bronze, respectively.

Speaking to journalists after her triumph, Onabiyi said the record-breaking feat reflected the rewards of her persistence and discipline.

“I’m excited about breaking my record from last year,” she said.

“It shows the prospect of my hard work and dedication. I am determined to push myself further and see how far I can go with the help of my coach and mentor.”

The teenager, who balances her sport with academics in Ekiti, explained that belief and preparation gave her the edge over her opponents.

“At first, I never thought I would get to this level. But when I attended my first sports festival, I encouraged myself that I could compete with others, do what they were doing and also break records,” she admitted.

She added that her consistency was down to a combination of factors. “My intense training, mental preparation and experience from previous competitions all played a role,” she said.

“Having a strong coach and mentor, with a supportive family, also helped me stay focused on my goals and perform at my best.”

Her coach, Idris Oguntayo, praised her progress and described her as a rare talent whose consistency had been unmatched since she began competing at the age of 10.

“Atinuke is a blessed child, not just to her family but to Ogun State and Nigeria.

“She has never returned from any event empty-handed. Last year, she was the first young athlete to score above 500 in a national competition with 507 points. This year, she went even further with 551, which even some senior athletes still struggle to achieve.”

Oguntayo called for stronger institutional support to help Onabiyi take her talent to continental and global stages.

“She keeps breaking records, but now she needs bigger challenges. We want her to compete at the African Youth Games and the Youth Olympics. Nigeria must support her because shooting can bring the country many medals if given attention,” he said.

Onabiyi’s victory continues a streak of podium finishes at every event she has entered since she discovered shooting in 2021. Her medal cabinet already includes silvers from the 2021 Youth Games in Ilorin, gold in Asaba in 2023, and another record-breaking individual gold in 2024.

She has also excelled in archery, winning multiple medals at national and international competitions, including the Zen Archery International Open in Lagos.