It was mixed fortunes for Team Nigeria’s athletes on the opening day of the World Athletics Championship ongoing in Oregon, United States.
African champion in Hammer Throw, Oyesade Olatoye’s historic feat of being the first Nigerian to compete in the event, ended on a sad note as she finished 27th overall in the qualifications.
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Still on the field event, national champion, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi qualified as one of the best performers after placing fourth in group A qualification, while his compatriot, Dotun Ogundeji could not advance to the final with the 26-year-old finishing 28th overall in the event.
Nigeria’s 4×400 metres mixed relays quartet of Samson Nathaniel, Patience George, Dubem Amene and Imaobong Uko made it to the final of the event but finished sixth, behind winners Dominican Republic, Netherlands in second place and the United States in third.
It was another mixed grill for Nigeria in the Men’s 100 metres race as national champion, Favour Ashe ran 10 seconds to qualify for the semi-final alongside Raymond Ekevwo who placed third in his heat after running 10.17 seconds.
Fellow 100 metres campaigner, Udodi Onwuzurike who took part in heat 6 failed to qualify to the semi-final, leaving Nigeria’s hope for medals in the hands of Ashe and Ekevwo who need to up their game as they will be facing fast runner-athletes with records of sub-9 seconds- in the next round later on Saturday.
National Women’s 100 metres Champion, Grace Nwokocha will be in action in the morning session as she will be aiming to book a spot in the semi-final.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
