True to prediction, Nigerian 400m Champion Folashade Abugan extended her domination across the continent as she emerged African Champion at the ongoing Senior Championships in Marrakech, Morocco, four years after settling for bronze at the 2010 Championships in Nairobi.
Zambia’s Kabange Mupopo had led the semis with 51.54s, as against Abugan’s 52.09s. However the Nigerian had the last laugh in the closely contested final, which she won with a photo finish as both athletes breasted the tape in 51.21s, which was a National Record (NR) for the Zambian and a replication of the Season’s Best (SB) Abugan ran in Calabar to dethrone Regina George as Nigerian champion. Nigeria’s No.2, Patience George Okon secured Bronze in 51.68s while the third Nigerian in the final, Ada Benjamin followed in fourth place with 52.59s, not being able to fully recover from a superb PB of 51.68s the day before!
The absence of Africa’s No.1 and defending champion, Amantle Montsho, who has been provisionally suspended for failing a dope test immediately after the final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, no doubt went a long way in improving Nigeria’s chances for a medal sweep at the event, though it doesn’t take anything away from the fact that the country’s female quartermilers have been in good form this season, winning a bronze medal at the inaugural IAAF World Relays and a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in the 4x400m.
Abugan was the only Nigerian who made it to the final of the women’s individual 400m race in Glasgow where she finished fifth just behind Montsho. She is however hopeful that her victory will serve as enough motivation for the IAAF Continental Cup which is slated to hold again in Marrakech next month.
“I am so happy to win because four years ago I won a bronze medal but this time around, I am the African champion”, she said.
“This season has been a great one for me as I became national champion, won a bronze at the IAAF World Relays and Silver at the Commonwealth Games. I am going to train harder ahead of the Continental Cup.”
