World record holder Tobi Amusan and Olympic bronze medallist Ese Brume will spearhead Nigeria’s participation at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, set for September 13–21, 2025, at the iconic Japan National Stadium in Tokyo, Bold Sports reports.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) unveiled a strong 15-athlete squad on Sunday, comprising seven women and eight men who will compete across 11 events, including sprints, hurdles, long jump and throws.
Also included are men’s 400m hurdles star Ezekiel Nathaniel, shot put specialist Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, and sprinter Udodi Onwuzurike, who will be competing in his second World Championships after making his debut in Eugene in 2022.
Nigeria’s squad also features Kanyinsola Ajayi, who will be making his World Championships debut following his Olympic outing in Paris last year.
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The full list of selected athletes includes:
Women: Tobi Amusan (100m hurdles), Ese Brume (Long Jump), Rosemary Chukwuma (100m), Prestina Ochonogor (Long Jump), Chioma Onyekwere (Discus), Obiageri Amaechi (Discus), Oyesade Olatoye (Hammer).
Men: Kanyinsola Ajayi (100m), Israel Okon (100m), Udodi Onwuzurike (200m), Samuel Ogazi (400m), Chidi Okezie (400m), Ezekiel Nathaniel (400m hurdles), Charles Godfred (Long Jump), Chukwuebuka Enekwechi (Shot Put).
While the AFN stressed that its final squad was based on merit and technical considerations, some notable athletes who secured qualification standards were left out of the travelling party.
Among them are Tima Godbless who qualified for both the women’s 100m and 200m and Kelly Ufodiama (200m). Rising 400m star Ella Onojuvwevwo, who had also booked her ticket, did not make the cut.
In the field events, high jumper Temitope Adeshina, who has been one of Nigeria’s most consistent performers on the international stage, was also omitted.
Findings by Bold Sports reveal that the non-listing of the US college athletes might not be unconnected with their inability to secure travel papers out of the US.
AFN President Tonobok Okowa said the selection was made with Nigeria’s best medal chances in mind.
“We are optimistic that Team Nigeria will make the nation proud. The athletes picked have shown consistency and readiness to compete at the highest level. I commend the coaches, sponsors and government agencies who continue to support Nigerian athletics,” Okowa said.
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