Blessing Okagbare stole the lime light at the three day Mobile/NNPC Nigeria Track and Field Championship in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, which concluded on Saturday (26).
A heavy down pour for much of the final day of the contest dampened the athletes chance to excel, as some events like the men’s Discus Throw were cancelled altogether. The championship was also a trial to select teams for the Africa Senior Championships in Nairobi Kenya and the World Junior Championships in Moncton Canada due next month.
11.06 for Okagbare in rare domestic appearance
Although Okagbare was the favourite to retain her 100m title, she had to work hard as Damola Osayomi pushed her all the way. Okagbare cross the finish line first in 11.06 to Osayomi’s 11.23. Osayomi (23.66) went on to claim the 200m title contested through a steady drizzle.
“It is a pleasant experience competing at home for the first time this year,” said Okagbare, the Olympic Long Jump bronze medallist who more recently won the 100m/Long Jump double at the NCAA championships. “I opted out of the long jump because I have a minor strain in my takeoff leg. I am saving my best for the Africa championships.”
“I am going to the Africa championships aiming for individual gold medals in the 100m and long jump. Nigeria has strong teams for the relays,” Okagbare assured.
Meanwhile, Metu Obinna proved a winner regardless of the weather conditions. Following his 100m (10.28) victory, Obinna (21.17) edged Deji Musa 21.22 in the 200m.
“One has to be prepared for all weather conditions at major championships. I am happy with my victory despite the rain,” said Obinna.
400m titles for Akwu and Abugan
In a thrilling sprint on the home straight, newcomer Noah Akwu (46.06) outpaced his more experienced compatriots Weigopwa Saul (46.57), Godday James (46.60), Isah Salihu (46.71), and Tobi Ogunmola (46.77) to claim his first ever national 400m title. What’s more Akwu improved his lifetime best from the 46.43 he ran at the in Makurdi last month.
“I did not know we were running so fast. Now that I have made my mark against the best in Nigeria, I am more confident about doing well (at the Africa championships) in Nairobi,” said a delighted Akwu.
In contrast, Africa junior 400m champion Shade Abugan decided against allowing Nigeria’s new find Etim Margaret upstage her in the women’s one lap race. Running in lane three she drew level with Etim who was in lane four as they entered the back straight.
From then on Etim’s inexperienced showed as she struggled playing the catch up game. The Germany-based Abugan prevailed in 51.92 in her first outdoor meet. Etim (52.11), Bukola Abogunloko (52.63) and Ajoke Odumosu (52.74) followed.
“This is an important victory for me,” said Abugan. “I have won the national title three times in a row. Next year I aim to win again to equal the record achievement of Sunday Bada.” Bada, now the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Technical Director, was also the 1997 World Indoor 400m champion.
Ajoke Odumosu (56.06) comfortably won the 400m Hurdles before she was placed fourth in the 400m. However it was Seun Abugan’s 13.34 victory in the women’s 100m hurdles that came as a total surprise.
Triple Jumper Oluwatosin now aiming for 17m mark
On the infield triple jumper, Oke Oluwatosin (16.92) signalled his readiness for the big stage. “I came from my base in London to not just defend my national title, but to secure my ticket to the Africa championships where I plan to leaping over 17 metres,” Oluwatosin declared.
Nkiru Domike was among the brave athletes who persevered through a steady drizzle and won the women’s contest in 13.18m. In the Long Jump Stanley Gbagbeke and Comfort Onyali won the men’s and women’s titles with leaps of 8.01m and 6.56m respectively.
Mark Ouma for the IAAF
Click here for RESULTS
A heavy down pour for much of the final day of the contest dampened the athletes chance to excel, as some events like the men’s Discus Throw were cancelled altogether. The championship was also a trial to select teams for the Africa Senior Championships in Nairobi Kenya and the World Junior Championships in Moncton Canada due next month.
11.06 for Okagbare in rare domestic appearance
Although Okagbare was the favourite to retain her 100m title, she had to work hard as Damola Osayomi pushed her all the way. Okagbare cross the finish line first in 11.06 to Osayomi’s 11.23. Osayomi (23.66) went on to claim the 200m title contested through a steady drizzle.
“It is a pleasant experience competing at home for the first time this year,” said Okagbare, the Olympic Long Jump bronze medallist who more recently won the 100m/Long Jump double at the NCAA championships. “I opted out of the long jump because I have a minor strain in my takeoff leg. I am saving my best for the Africa championships.”
“I am going to the Africa championships aiming for individual gold medals in the 100m and long jump. Nigeria has strong teams for the relays,” Okagbare assured.
Meanwhile, Metu Obinna proved a winner regardless of the weather conditions. Following his 100m (10.28) victory, Obinna (21.17) edged Deji Musa 21.22 in the 200m.
“One has to be prepared for all weather conditions at major championships. I am happy with my victory despite the rain,” said Obinna.
400m titles for Akwu and Abugan
In a thrilling sprint on the home straight, newcomer Noah Akwu (46.06) outpaced his more experienced compatriots Weigopwa Saul (46.57), Godday James (46.60), Isah Salihu (46.71), and Tobi Ogunmola (46.77) to claim his first ever national 400m title. What’s more Akwu improved his lifetime best from the 46.43 he ran at the in Makurdi last month.
“I did not know we were running so fast. Now that I have made my mark against the best in Nigeria, I am more confident about doing well (at the Africa championships) in Nairobi,” said a delighted Akwu.
In contrast, Africa junior 400m champion Shade Abugan decided against allowing Nigeria’s new find Etim Margaret upstage her in the women’s one lap race. Running in lane three she drew level with Etim who was in lane four as they entered the back straight.
From then on Etim’s inexperienced showed as she struggled playing the catch up game. The Germany-based Abugan prevailed in 51.92 in her first outdoor meet. Etim (52.11), Bukola Abogunloko (52.63) and Ajoke Odumosu (52.74) followed.
“This is an important victory for me,” said Abugan. “I have won the national title three times in a row. Next year I aim to win again to equal the record achievement of Sunday Bada.” Bada, now the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Technical Director, was also the 1997 World Indoor 400m champion.
Ajoke Odumosu (56.06) comfortably won the 400m Hurdles before she was placed fourth in the 400m. However it was Seun Abugan’s 13.34 victory in the women’s 100m hurdles that came as a total surprise.
Triple Jumper Oluwatosin now aiming for 17m mark
On the infield triple jumper, Oke Oluwatosin (16.92) signalled his readiness for the big stage. “I came from my base in London to not just defend my national title, but to secure my ticket to the Africa championships where I plan to leaping over 17 metres,” Oluwatosin declared.
Nkiru Domike was among the brave athletes who persevered through a steady drizzle and won the women’s contest in 13.18m. In the Long Jump Stanley Gbagbeke and Comfort Onyali won the men’s and women’s titles with leaps of 8.01m and 6.56m respectively.
Mark Ouma for the IAAF
Click here for RESULTS
