By Flinster Austin
Published on 2024-02-21 03:00:52
Consider Ekanem, a rising star in the sprinting world, faced a setback in the 100m final, as he was disqualified due to a false start. However, he quickly bounced back the following day by securing victory in the men’s 200m at the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) African Games trials. The event took place at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, concluding yesterday.
Ekanem’s performance in the 200m race was particularly impressive, as he finished with a time of 20.60 seconds, outpacing his competitors. Sunday Okon, who had previously claimed victory in the 100m, came in second with a time of 20.95 seconds, while Oritseweyimi Daje Lucky secured third place with a time of 21.26 seconds.
After clinching the win, Ekanem expressed his excitement, especially in light of the disappointment he experienced in the 100m race. As the current World leader in the 100m, he had high expectations for the event but was unable to achieve his goal. Despite this setback, Ekanem was pleased to have redeemed himself with a strong showing in the 200m event, stating, “I’m excited by the 200m victory after the disappointment in the 100m. I came here to run under 10 seconds, but it didn’t happen that way. A lot of my fans felt disappointed. They came to me to find out what went wrong, but I am happy I made up for it.”
In the women’s 200m race, Olayinka Olajide also delivered a standout performance, securing first place with a time of 23.24 seconds. Precious Nzeakor and Chisom Onyebuchi followed closely behind, finishing in 23.31 and 24.00 seconds, respectively. Olajide, who had already claimed victory in the 100m event the previous day, expressed her satisfaction with achieving a double win and emphasized the importance of focusing on the upcoming African Games. She stated, “Winning a double was my plan coming here and I feel so fulfilled. Next is the African Games. We just have to go back and train towards it.”
Following the conclusion of the AFN African Games trials, attention turned to the upcoming Africa Games camp in Abuja. Home-based track and field athletes were expected to join the camp, which had opened on February 15. The AFN had organized its national trials to select the team for the Games, which are scheduled to be held in Accra, Ghana from March 8.
The trials not only showcased the talents of Nigerian athletes but also served as a platform for individuals to demonstrate their resilience and ability to bounce back from setbacks. Despite the disappointment of the false start in the 100m final, Ekanem’s victory in the men’s 200m and Olajide’s impressive performances in both the 100m and 200m races highlighted their determination and potential as they prepare to represent Nigeria in the upcoming African Games.
