Nigeria’s Jonathan Nmaju, last weekend ran the second fastest time in the men’s 60m at the Spanish National Indoor Championships held in the capital, Madrid.
Nmaju won Heat 2 of the men’s 60m semi-final, crossing the line in a time of 6.74s in the race. Spanish international, Arian Olmos Tellez ran the fastest time overall in the semi-final races, winning his heat in 6.72s, which saw him emerge as the overall winner, as the Nigerian sprinter placed 2nd in the final results.
In fact, Nmaju was the only outsider in the 60m by virtue of his nationality. However, having been resident in Spain for a long time, it wasn’t difficult for him to compete in their trials.
Last year at the National Championships in Warri, Nmaju finished 3rd in the men’s 100m, as Seye Ogunlewe was crowned Champion, with Ogho-Oghene Egwero taking Silver. He was meant to be part of the Nigerian team to the 2015 African Games held in Congo Brazzaville, but ended up missing out on the trip.
With stiffer competitions expected this year, it is left to be seen if Nmaju can get the better of Ogunlewe and Egwero at the National Trials this year, or maybe challenge them as the trio attempt to go below 10s in the men’s 100m, a feat last achieved by Olusoji Fasuba in 2006 (9.86s).
