Nigerian track and field sensation Udodi Onwuzurike delivered a stunning performance at the NCAA Track and Field Championships in Austin, Texas on Friday, blazing his way to victory in the men’s 200m event.
Onwuzurike claimed the gold medal in a time of 19.84s.
Onwuzurike’s path to triumph began with an extraordinary performance in the qualifying rounds, where he shattered his personal best record with a time of 19.76s.
In the eagerly anticipated showdown, Onwuzurike faced fierce competition from a talented field of athletes.
Texas Tech’s Courtney Lindsey – who had earlier won the men’s 100m – emerged as his closest rival, pushing him to the limit. However, Onwuzurike maintained his composure to win the race. Lindsey eventually finished second in 19.86s.
Crossing the finish line in a time of 19.84s, Onwuzurike seized the gold medal, securing his place among the elite Nigerian sprinters. This outstanding achievement follows in the footsteps of Olapade Adeniken, who triumphed in 1992, and Divine Oduduru, who claimed victory in 2018 and 2019.
Terrence Jones, also representing Texas Tech, won the bronze medal with a time of 19.87s, while Florida’s Robert Gregory recorded a personal best time of 19.89s, earning a fourth-place finish.
Alabama’s Tarsis Orogot crossed the line in fifth place with a time of 20.03s, ahead of Houston’s Shaun Maswanganyi in sixth with a time of 20.07s.
Northern Arizona’s David Dunlap set a personal best time of 20.16s, securing seventh place, while Louisville’s Cameron Miller placed eighth with a time of 20.30s, and Tennessee’s Javonte Harding finished in ninth place with a time of 20.90s.