Nigerian athletes delivered strong performances at the SEC and WAC Championships in the United States on Friday, with Kanyinsola Ajayi, Tima Godbless and Samuel Ogazi leading the charge.
At the SEC Championships, Ajayi dominated his men’s 100m heat, clocking 10.15s (-0.6) to win comfortably.
He led from start to finish, easing up toward the end but still finishing ahead of Jaden Wiley (10.26s) and Azeem Fahmi (10.35s) to book his place in the final.
In another heat, fellow Nigerians Sunday Israel Okon and Fakorede Nicholas made it a 1-2 finish. Okon ran 10.12s (2.2) to win the race, while Fakorede closed fast for second in 10.23s. Micah Larry followed in third with 10.24s.
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On the women’s side, Tima Godbless was impressive in the 100m heats, winning in 11.29s (0.0). She held off Anthaya Charlton (11.36s) and Nigerian teammate Faith Okwose (11.44s) to advance to the final.
In the men’s 400m, Samuel Ogazi cruised through the heats with a time of 45.34s, showing no signs of pressure as he comfortably beat Peyton Bair (46.08s PB) and Devan Crumpton (46.23s).
The women’s 400m also saw strong Nigerian representation. Ella Onojuvwevwo finished second in her heat in 51.24s, just behind Dejanea Oakley (51.15s). Esther Elo Joseph came third in her heat with 52.42s, while Opeyemi Deborah Oke placed fourth in her race in 52.57s.
Over at the WAC Championships in Texas, Prestina Ochonogor stole the show in the women’s long jump, hitting a season’s best of 6.67m (0.0) — twice — to take the gold. She beat Adeyemi Talabi (6.17m) and Ajia Hughes (6.10m) to secure the title.
Just a day earlier, Ezekiel Nathaniel made history by breaking his own Nigerian 400m hurdles record with a stunning 47.91 seconds run at the Big 12 Championships in Kansas. He became the first Nigerian to run the event under 48 seconds, ranking 8th fastest in Africa all-time.
Also at the SEC Championships, Tima Godbless impressed in the women’s 200m heats with a strong victory, clocking 22.62s (+0.9) to finish well ahead of her rivals and advance to the final.
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