Nigerian chess player Sandra Omoruyi says her victory at the World Rapid Amateur Chess Championship in Abuja has made her more ambitious about reaching the highest levels of the sport.

The 16-year-old won the title in August after overcoming a difficult start in the Blitz event, where she lost her first three games before recovering strongly to finish as champion.

Omoruyi said the experience taught her the importance of resilience and maintaining focus regardless of setbacks.

She said her interest in competitive chess grew after winning the Most Valuable Player award at the last Youth Games, which convinced her that she could compete at the highest level.

Omoruyi comes from a chess-playing family and was introduced to the game by her father, who was her first coach. Her siblings also helped her learn the fundamentals before she began working with her current coach, Edward Eguavoe Evbuomwan.

She said financial constraints, distance and insecurity had sometimes prevented her from attending tournaments, particularly because she was still a minor.

Preparing for major competitions has also required an intensive training schedule. Omoruyi said she sometimes trains for between 10 and 16 hours a day, depending on the demands of her programme.

Her preparation for the World Rapid Amateur Championship included extensive Rapid and Blitz practice, tactical exercises and practice games designed to improve her ability to make accurate decisions under time pressure.

Recalling her difficult start in the Blitz competition, she said advice from her coach helped her put the losses behind her and concentrate on each subsequent game.

After winning the title, Omoruyi said she immediately thought about her family, coach and supporters who had encouraged her throughout her development.

The achievement has also changed how she views her potential, she said, adding that she now believes she can compete and win at the international level.

Her short-term ambition is to achieve the norms required for chess titles, while her long-term goal is to become a Grandmaster and help Nigeria achieve success at the Chess Olympiad.

Beyond chess, Omoruyi plans to become a medical doctor. She also hopes to encourage more young girls to take up chess and pursue ambitious goals in both sport and education.