Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Samuel Onikeku, says one of Team Nigeria’s objectives at the upcoming World Relays in China is to pick qualifying tickets for some of the relay events at this year’s World Championships in Tokyo.
The AFN on Wednesday unveiled Nigeria’s contingent for the World Relays which will be held from May 10 to 11 in China.
Top on the list is women’s 100m hurdles record holder Tobi Amusan and Paris 2024 Olympics 200m finalist Favour Ofili. Amusan and Ofili are joined by Rosemary Chukwuma, Tiana Eyakpobeyan, Success Umukoro and Jennifer Chukwuka Obi for the women’s 4x100m.
“We are participating in these four relays because those are the events we are able to challenge for. We just do not want to go and participate in world relays but to qualify for the world championships. These are the best events that we could compete for,”
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The 2025 World Championships is set to take place from September 13 to 21 in Tokyo and seven Nigerian athletes have already secured their spots in eight individual events at the prestigious competition.
They are Amusan (women’s 100m hurdle), Ofili (women’s 200m), Ezekiel Nathaniel (men’s 400m and 400m hurdles), Samuel Ogazi (men’s 400m), Tima Godbless (women’s 200m) and Ella Onojuvwevwo (women’s 400m).
In China, Nigeria will also compete in the men’s 4×100m, 4×400m mixed relay and the newly introduced 4×100m mixed relay – making four out of the six events at the relays.
The relay teams can qualify either by securing one of the top 14 places at the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou or by being one of the best-ranked teams at the end of the qualification window.
The men’s 4×100m squad comprises Alaba Akintola, Udodi Onwuzurike, Favour Ashe, Karlington Anunagba, Folawiyo Olaoye and Usheoritshe Itshekiri.
In the 4×400m mixed relay, Nigeria will be represented by Chidi Okezie, Ifeanyin Ojeli, Samson Nathaniel, George Patience Okon, Praise Idamadudu and Omolara Ogunmakinju.
The 4×100m mixed relay team will be selected from a pool including Favour Ashe, Alaba Akintola, Udodi Onwuzurike, Rosemary Chukwuma, Favour Ofili and Success Umukoro.
The country earned its place in these events through a combination of qualification pathways, firstly by designated competition during the Paris 2024 Olympics at the Stade de France and by top-list performances at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium during the African Games.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
