Team Nigeria began its quest to win a record 9th African Seniors Athletics Championships title on a sound footing in Douala, the economic capital of Cameroon on Friday 21 June 2024.
With two gold medals from men’s Shot Put and women’s Discus, the Nigerian contingent stormed to the medals’ table after Day 1 action.
It was a clean sweep for Nigeria in the women’s Discus event with Ashley Anumba taking gold ahead of Obiageri Amaechi and Chioma Onyekwere settling for bronze medal.
Anumba recorded a throw of 59.30m in her final attempt, improving on 59.01m that kept her in the lead throughout the competition.
African Games Champion, Obiageri Amaechi claimed Silver with a distance of 58.80m while defending champion, Chioma Onyekwere settled for third place with a throw of 57.96m.
African Indoor Record holder and five times Nigeria champion in the men’s Shot Put, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi made it a hat trick of crowns in Cameroon after extending his dominance on the continent to six years, taking the first GOLD medal of the Championships.
Enekwechi who had won the last two editions of the competitions, Asaba 2018 and Mauritius 2022, improved by 2cm his Championships Record of 21.20m set two years ago in Saint Pierre, minning gold with a record of 21.22m.
Eight finals will be decided on Day 2 of the competition which include, men and women 100m, 4×400m mix relay, men’s 10,000m and women’s 100m hurdles.
The Senior Athletics Championships end on 26 of this month.
Tag: athletics championships
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All eyes will be on World record holder over women’s 100m Hurdles Tobi Amusan as the National Athletics Trials enter day 2 from 3pm today at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin City, Edo State.
The final of the event is expected to go in the way of Amusan after she schooled the field in yesterday’s semifinal
Elsewhere in the women’s high jump final, national record holder Temitope Adeshina is firm favourite for gold.
In yesterday’s opener, one of Nigeria’s hottest ladies over 100m this year, Favour Ofili, won her maiden National title in that event with a new personal best of 11.06 seconds
She brushed aside African Games silver medalist, Olayinka Olajide who finished in 11.37 seconds while Justina Eyakpobeyan, who recently won the 100m in the Confederation of African Athletics CAA Region 2 championship in Accra, Ghana and the Commonwealth Youth Games silver medal winner came in third in a time of 11.47 seconds.
Ofili has now qualified to represent Nigeria in the 100m and 200m events and becomes the second Nigerian woman after Tima Godbless to make the both sprint Olympic contests.
In the men’s 100m, Kanyinsola Ajayi also took his first title.
He put behind a fairly strong cast of runners in a time of 10.14 seconds.
Alaba Akintola came second in 10.16 seconds while immediate past champion, Usheoritse Itsekiri rrok bronze in a time od 10.22 seconds.
Ajayi’s time is not good enough for the Olympics as he needs to run 10.00 seconds to land in the fashion capital, Paris.
In the men’s Shot Put, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi successfully defended his title for the 4th successive time with a throw of 21.37m.
The President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa commended Chukwuebuka Enekwechi significant achievement, describing him as Nigeria’s dependable Athlete.
The trials which end tomorrow 18 June are a selection ground for Team Nigeria to the African Senior athletics championships in Cameroon this week and the Paris Olympic Games. -
The Board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), has again clarified on scheduling conflicts between it’s National Trials and Salah celebration in the country.
According to the Federation, there was no intention to undermine the celebration whose date clashes with the trials that will be used to select the nation’s athletes for both the African Senior Championships in Douala, Cameroon and the Paris Olympics.
This clarification becomes necessary following steps by some individuals to paint the AFN as a body that does not have regards for the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) in the country.
The AFN had earlier fixed June 26-28 for the National Trials, only for the Confederations of African Athletics (CAA) to announce a new date of June 21-26 for the African Senior Championships in Douala.
Since the AFN is using the National Trials to pick Nigerian athletes for the Cameroonian competition, there is a need to conclude the event in Benin City at least, two days before departure as majority of the athletes are foreign-based.
As soon as the African Senior Championships end in Douala, the athletes will on 1st July embark on training tour overseas ahead of the Paris Olympics.
Amidst the crowded schedule, the AFN pleaded with the Muslim faithful, particularly MURIC, to bear with the federation.
In a proactive move, the AFN has put in place adequate measures for all athletes, both Muslims and Christians, to enjoy the Salah celebration before coming to the Stadium to compete.
To go with the merrymaking, the AFN has concluded arrangements for food, drinks and rams for slaughter so that everyone will feel the impact of the celebration.
The Federation again, apologises for any inconveniences this clash in date might cause the Muslim faithful. -
Top athletes from home and abroad are expected to converge on the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin City, venue of the prestigious 2024 National Athletics Championship.
The event, scheduled for 16 to 18 June 2024 provides the athletes a chance of making Team Nigeria to two major upcoming competitions – the Paris Olympic Games and the Douala African Seniors Athletics Championships.
In recent months, Nigerian athletes based in Europe and America have been delivering impressive performances on the track and in field events.
At the NCAA Championship finals, Temitope Adeshina broke the national record in the women’s high jump with a leap of 1.97m, a feat that has excited top coach Kola Adeboye, who believes she can surpass the 2.00m mark before the Olympics.
The women’s long jump event is shaping up to be a thrilling contest, with Olympic bronze medalist Ese Brume facing a stern challenge from Prestina Ochonogor, the gold medalist at the recent CAA Region 2 Championship in Accra.
The men’s 100m race will be a showdown between three U.S.-based athletes, Favour Ashe, Kanyinsola Ajayi, and Godson Brume, who have all run under 10 seconds, and two local stars, Consider Ekanem and Isreal Okon, who will be eager to prove their worth on home soil.
The women’s 100m event is loaded with talented and experienced athletes, including Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma, and Tima Godbless, who will be challenged by the likes of home favorite Justina Tiana Eyakpobeyan, the gold medalist at the CAA Region 2 Championship.
World record holder and the fastest runner in the women’s 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan, will be up against recently crowned West African queen, Faith Osamuyi, while the men’s 400m is a three-way event with Samuel Ogazi, home boy CAA Region 2 gold medalist Emmanuel Ojeli, and Chidi Okezie, one of the game changers during the 13th African Games.
Other thrilling events to watch out for include the men’s 400m, women’s hurdles, and the men’s 200m races, where the likes of Samuel Ogazi, Emmanuel Ojeli, and Chidi Okezie will be vying for top honors.
The Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Samuel Onikeku, has emphasized the importance of the National Trials, stating that the federation has zero tolerance when it comes to selecting members of Team Nigeria Athletics.
For the chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, Yusuf Alli, he’s assured that they were ready to welcome the athletes and spectators to the event, with the promise of an entertaining and well-organized championship.
The AFN is also preparing a grand welcome for the over 25 foreign-based athletes who will be competing in Benin City, acknowledging their commitment and determination to succeed in their careers. -
Superstar world-record holder Tobi Amusan outclassed a competitive field at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational on Saturday to win the women’s 100m hurdles in a world-leading time of 12.40 seconds.
The Nigerian trailed reigning world champion Jamaican Danielle Williams and American Nia Ali for most of the race but surged ahead in the closing stages, eclipsing the previous world-leading time of 12.42 set by Tonea Marshall of the USA on April 20.
Williams finished second in 12.46 seconds, with Christina Clemens of the USA taking third place in 12.54.
Yanique Thompson of Jamaica secured fourth in 12.59, while Ali slipped to fifth with a time of 12.65.
First placed Amusan ended last season on a high by winning the Diamond League women’s 100m hurdles title in Eugene, Oregon for an astonishing third consecutive time and silencing critics following a disappointing performance at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest
World leader Daniel Roberts led home a 1-2 finish for USA in the men’s 110m hurdles.
Roberts, competing for the third time this season, secured a comfortable victory with a swift time of 13.17.
Eric Edwards finished second in 13.33, just ahead of Jamaican Lafranz Campbell, who clocked 13.37. -
After finishing as Nigeria’s highest placed squad at the World Relays, the country’s mixed 4X400m squad has pocketed a mouthwatering cash reward from organisers.
Sensational quarter miller Chidi Okezie inspired Nigeria’s mixed 4x400m squad of Samuel Ogazi, Ella Onojuvwevwo, and Esther Joseph to a new African Record (AR) at the Relays in the Bahamas.
The feat came with a cash prize reward of $8000 (N11,144,000.)
The brilliant Nigerian team blazed to a blistering African Record of 3mins:12.87secs in the early hours of today to finish fourth in the final as the USA led with a new Championship Record of 3mins:10.73 secs
The Nigeria feat lowers her previous record of 3mins:13.26secs, clocked by a different quartet of Emmanuel Ojeli, Patience George, Sikiru Adeyemi, and Omolara Ogunmakinju, set to win the African Games title in Ghana this year.
By punching their Paris Olympics ticket and being fourth-place finishers, Nigeria earned the cash prize of $8000, which will be shared amongst the athletes. -
Nigeria secured 2024 Olympic participation in the men’s 4X400m and mixed 4X400m relays after posting stellar performances at the ongoing World Athletics Relays in Nassau, Bahamas.
The men’s quartet of Dubem Nwachukwu, Dubem Amene, Sikiru Adeyemi and Chidi Okezie clocked a time of 3:01.70 yesterday to pick the slot.
Drawn against sprint and relay powerhouses, Jamaica and Belgium, Nigeria needed a top 2 finish to qualify for the Olympics.
The well-put-together team set off with Dubem Nwachukwu on lead-off leg where he came in 2nd and handed over to Dubem Amene.
After breaking on the second leg, Amene put up a masterful race, leaving no openings before handing over to Sikiru Adewale who ran his heart out to maintain the pace.
By the time Okezie got the baton for the anchor leg, Nigeria was in 3rd and just in danger of having the automatic Olympic qualifier slip away.
The African Games 400m gold medalist bided his time, waited patiently behind Jamaican anchor Demish Gaye before pouncing as they hit the home straight.
He sprinted ahead of the Jamaican to bring the country home in 2nd place, splitting an incredible 44.46s – his second 44s split of the night!
The time of 3:01.70 makes it the fastest by a Nigerian male 4x400m team since the Bronze-winning team of James Godday, Musa Audu, Saul Weigopwa and Enefiok Udo-Obong who ran 3:00.90 at the Athens 2024 Olympics.
In the mixed 4X400m event, the quartet of Samuel Ogazi, Ella Onojuvwevwo, Chidi Okezie and Esther Elo Joseph ensured Nigeria is guaranteed a place at the Olympics.
They finished 2nd in their heat with a time of 3:13.79 behind Team USA who won in a Championship Record of 3:11.52.
The women’s 4x400m did not make a showing in Bahamas as the team was incomplete.
In the women’s 4x100m contest,
Justina Tiana Eyakpobeyan, Favour Ofili, Yinka Olajide and Tima Godbless narrowly missed qualification for the final and also the Olympics ticket after finishing with 43.15secs to place third in their heat.
An imperfect exchange of baton between Olayinka and Godbless slowed down the pace of team.
Godbless put up a spirited fight but fell short of overwhelming Mallory Laconte of France that clocked 43.09, while the USA took the race with 42.42 seconds.
Nigeria men’s 4x100m also fell short of expectations.
Udodi Uwazurike, Consider Ekanem, Alaba Akintola and Seye Ogunlewe placed fourth in their heat after posting 38.47 secs well bellow their personal best of 37.94secs.
Meanwhile the first eight teams to have qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in each the five disciplines being contested at the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 have been confirmed following the opening day of competition in Nassau.
Fourteen teams in the women’s and men’s 4x100m and 4x400m plus the mixed 4x400m in Nassau this weekend (4-5 May) automatically qualify for places at the Paris Olympics.
On Saturday, the top two teams in each of the four heats per event secured spots for their respective World Relays finals on Sunday, while also booking their places for Paris.
Three nations – France, Great Britain & Northern Ireland and USA – each qualified four teams for Paris, while another three – Canada, Italy and Poland – qualified three each.
Teams will compete for prize money and Olympic lane seeding positions in Sunday’s finals.
All other teams will race in the additional round where the top two teams in each of the three heats will also qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Following the qualification of 14 teams per event in Nassau, the remaining two places for Paris in each discipline will be awarded based on top lists during the qualification period (31 December 2022 to 30 June 2024). -
Experienced coaches are expected to train Team Nigeria to the glamorous World Relays, scheduled to take center stage from 4 to 5 May 2024 in the Bahamas.
The trainers are Gabriel Okon and Endurance Ojokolo, while LSU’s legendary head coach Dennis Shaver is also reported to be joining the team which has the potential to cause upsets at the event.
Nigeria will be present as one of the underdogs against the big guns such as USA, Netherlands, Italy, and Jamaica.
The recently concluded African Games in Ghana laid a strong case for the possibility of Nigeria regaining her status as a powerhouse relay country after dominating with four gold (men and women’s 4x100m, women’s 4x400m, and mixed 4x400m) and a silver medal (men’s 4x400m) at the end of the continental showpiece.
The glamorous World Relays are a crucial Paris Olympic qualifying team events for top-performing athletes from more than 40 countries. -
Nigeria’s world record holder over women’s 100 meter hurdles Tobi Amusan’s mental fortitude came to the fore today at the Wanda Diamond League meeting of the season in Suzhou, China.
She false-started after beating the start threshold by 0.007seconds and was disqualified at the Chinese athletics championships .
The Nigerian chose to run under protest and crossed the line first in a photo finish, with the unofficial result pending after the appeal process may have been exhausted.
Yet it was Jasmine Camacho-Quinn who was declared the official winner, posting 12.63 seconds to take her second successive win this season.
Devynne Charlton placed second in a time of 12.66seconds.
woramangra 