By Flinster Austin
Published on 2024-01-22 03:52:23
As the 13th African Games approach, members of Team Nigeria Athletics are showing excellent form, setting Personal Bests and achieving outstanding timing across the United States. The African Games are set to take place in three Ghanaian cities in March.
Temitope Adeshina, a high jumper, broke a 14-year-old National Record, setting the stage for other outstanding performances from her teammates. Ruth Usoro, the record holder for the triple jump in Nigeria, and sprinter Success Umukoro both demonstrated their prowess. Usoro won the triple jump title with a leap of 13.89m, the second longest mark in the world this indoor season. Umukoro ran a new lifetime best of 23.49 seconds, placing sixth in the 200m event. Ella Onojuvwevwo also achieved a new lifetime best of 23.91 seconds and led her school, the Louisiana State University, to victory in the 4x400m event. Uko Nse, a former World U-20 400m champion, contributed to Baylor University’s seventh-place finish in the 4x400m event.
On the other hand, Godson Brume started the season with a less-than-stellar performance, clocking 21.40 seconds in the 200m event and placing 11th overall in the Texas Tech’s Corky Classic. This was in contrast to the high expectations following Temitope Adeshina’s record-setting high jump of 1.96m on the opening day of the event.
The remarkable form of Nigerian athletes in the USA and other parts of the world has not gone unnoticed by the governing body of athletics in Nigeria (AFN). AFN President, Tonobok Okowa, has pledged the federation’s support and encouragement to the athletes, recognizing their impressive performance as a positive sign for the upcoming African Games and the Olympics Games in Paris, France. The AFN is hopeful for the continued success of the Nigerian athletes and is working to provide them with the necessary support and resources for their continued achievements on the international stage.
