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#Rio2016: Michael Phelps wins 200m individual medley for 22nd gold

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Michael Phelps seized another slice of Olympic history Thursday with a dominant victory in the 200m individual medley at the Rio Games, his fourth straight in the event.

Phelps joined discus thrower Al Oerter and Carl Lewis in the long jump as the only Olympians to win the same individual event at four straight Games.

He took his total of Olympic golds to 22  with a crack at two more in Rio in Friday’s 100m butterfly and the 4×100 medley relay on Saturday.

For fans who tune into swimming only when the Olympics roll around, Phelps’s longtime coach Bob Bowman had a message: Phelps may make it look easy, but it isn’t.

“You just have no idea how difficult it is for anybody to win an Olympic gold medal,” Bowman said.

“Michael has done it so frequently it really is hard to put it into perspective because every one of those was hard.

“Look at his numbers compared to everybody else. It’s not because of the talent it’s because of the work. It’s a combination, but work is the thing that did it — particularly this time around.”

At 31, and with a bevy of younger swimmers eager to claim a victory over a hero, Phelps’ prospects in Rio were unclear. Medals certainly, probably at least one gold.

Now he seems capable of sweeping all six of his events.

“I don’t know if I’m in better shape than I was in 2008,” Phelps said of his fitness now compared to the year he won eight gold medals in eight events in Beijing.

He said his 200m medley final, closely followed by a 100m butterfly semi-final in which he secured his spot in the final with the fifth-fastest time “hurt a lot”.

Lurking in second until the end of the breaststroke third leg of the medley he surged home on the closing freestyle lap to win in 1min 54.66sec.

That was almost two seconds in front of silver medallist Kosuke Hagino of Japan, the 400m individual medley champion who powered from fifth at the final wall to touch in 1:56.61.

China’s Wang Shun was third in 1:57.05.

Phelps’ old foe Ryan Lochte led at the halfway point, but the world record-holder in the event couldn’t keep up and finished fifth.

Brazilian contender Thiago Pereira, buoyed by an ecstatic crowd, led after the opening butterfly lap and was equal second at the halfway point, but faded to finish seventh.

The 32-year-old Lochte, who said he would take a break from swimming now as he ponders his future, said he would have liked to have put up more of a challenge.

But he savored what was billed as his final duel with Phelps.

“Going against him is a dream come true,” Lochte said. “He’s one of the best, not swimmer ever, best athlete in the Olympics.”

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Lionel Messi reveals when he will retire from football

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Lionel Messi has opened up on when he plans to retire from football as he navigates the twilight of his iconic career.

Since his arrival at Inter Miami in the summer of 2023, Messi has showcased his prowess by scoring 16 goals and providing seven assists in 19 appearances across various competitions.

Nevertheless, at 36 years old, Messi has had to contend with injury setbacks, sparking concerns about his durability in the sport.

Considering his retirement intentions while on the Big Time podcast, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner emphasized his self-awareness, acknowledging his tendency to critically evaluate his performances.

Messi conveyed his preparedness to exit the game when he senses he can no longer deliver his peak performance or derive joy from playing, regardless of his age.

“I am very self critical of myself, I know when I’m good, when I’m bad, when I play well and when I play badly. When I feel it’s time to take that step, I will take it without thinking about age,” Messi said.

“I know that moment I feel I am no longer ready to perform, that I am no longer enjoying myself or helping my teammates.

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African Games: Nigeria wins 8 gold medals in boxing — in one day

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Team Nigeria has added another eight gold medals in boxing to its tally at the 13th African Games in Ghana.

The Nigerian contingent was ruthless in the ring at the Bukom Boxing Arena, Accra, on Friday.

Joy Ojo won Nigeria’s first boxing gold of the day without strapping her gloves and boots.

She claimed victory in the women’s 57kg category following a walkover over her Selmouni Chahira, Algerian opponent.

Dolapo Omole added to Nigeria’s gold medal tally after the referee was forced to stop the contest between him and Sigauque Amando of Mozambique in the men’s 57kg category.

The referee ruled that the Mozambican could not continue the fight, and Omole took the glory.

Patricia Mbata then secured a 4-0 victory over Marbrouk Molka of Tunisia in the final of the women’s 75kg category to clinch Nigeria’s third boxing gold at the Games.

Adam Olaore knocked out Kuadjovi Kevin Prodence LK of Togo in the first round of the final of the men’s 92kg category.

Cynthia Ogunsemilore defeated Rahma Mohamed of Egypt 5-0 in the final of the women’s 60kg category.

Afterwards, Blessing Oraekwe, Jacinta Umunnakwe and Ifeanyi Onyekwere pummeled their opponents to take Nigeria’s gold tally in the ring to eight.

In athletics, Nigeria won the women’s 4×400 meters relay, clocking 3:27.29 to finish ahead of Zambia and Botswana.

The quartet of Esther Elo Joseph, Patience Okon-George, Brittany Ogunmokun and Omolara Ogunmakinju ensured Nigeria’s dominance over the lap race on the continent.

In the men’s Javelin throw, Chinecherem Nnamdi won gold with an attempt of 82.80 meters, a new national record.

Nigeria sits second on the medals table, with 121 medals behind Egypt.

Team Nigeria won 47 gold, 33 silver and 41 bronze medals in Ghana.

The Games are billed to wrap up on Saturday with a colourful closing ceremony.

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African Games: Ese Brume wins gold as Nigeria bags 97th medal

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Ese Brume has won the gold medal in the women’s long jump at the 13th African Games in Ghana.

The 28-year-old leapt 6.92 meters in her first attempt at the University of Ghana, Accra, on Thursday, and it was enough to secure her second consecutive African Games title.

She also won the event at the last edition held in Rabat, Morocco, in 2019.

Prestina Ochonogor claimed bronze with a jump of 6.62 meters in her international debut, while Koala Jasmine of Burkina Faso won the silver medal.

In the women’s discus throw, Amaechi Obiageri upset compatriot Onyekwere Chioma to win the gold medal with an attempt of 58.93 meters.

Onyekwere was the defending champion and the African record holder, but she settled for second place with a throw of 58.03 meters, while Nora Monie of Cameroon took the bronze.

Also, Francis-Peterson Kemi won the silver medal in the women’s heptathlon after gathering 5268 points across the seven events. She finished behind Ahouanwanou Odile of the Benin Republic.

Team Nigeria remains second on the medals table with 97 laurels at the ongoing African Games.

Nigeria’s contingent has won 37 gold, 25 silver and 35 bronze medals in Ghana.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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