Nigerian athletes gave good account of themselves at the Sun Angel Track Classic in Tempe, Arizona, with Margaret Bamgbose the biggest performer at the meet held last weekend.
Bamgbose won the women’s 400m dash Premiere, storming to victory with a time of 52.56s, beating Briyhna Desrosiers who was 2nd in 52.69s. Bamgbose’s national teammate Florence Uwakwe finished 3rd in 53.34s.
Having secured a win in the 400m, Bamgbose went on to anchor her team, Notre Dame in the 4x400m relay, playing a role as they won the event in 3:36.65. She didn’t seem tired afterwards as she also took part in the 4x100m (Premiere field), also running the last leg as they finished 4th in 44.75s.
If Bamgbose continues to improve at this rate, she could prove to be a vital member of Nigeria’s 4x400m team ahead of the London 2016 Olympics in Rio, having competed at last month’s World Indoor Championships in Portland.
Meanwhile in women’s 100m Premiere event, Oluwatobiloba Amusan made the transition albeit for this meet, and more likely for a tactical preparation for the 100m Hurdles.
The African Games champion won her heat in 11.50s, but narrowly missed out on the win as she finished 3rd overall. Mahagony Jones who ran the fastest time of 11.48s took the win, with Shai-Anne Davis 2nd in 11.49s.
Amusan went on to help her school’s Team A in the 4x100m relay, running the second leg as they finished 2nd in 44.55s. Texas A&M ‘A’ won the race in 43.75s, with their B team coming 3rd in 44.72s.
In the men’s 400m, both Nathaniel Samson and Biola Onakoya competed in Heat 4, finishing 2nd and 5th respectively. Samson’s time of 46.81s was the second fastest of all heats, with the race won by Jesse White who ran the fastest time of 45.92s to take the win.
Ivan Henry who won Heat 2 in 46.85s ran the 3rd fastest time. Onakoya’s time of 47.53s placed 9th in the overall standing.
With the Mt Sac Relays coming up later this week, more Nigerian athletes will be in action as they seek to meet standards for qualification to the Rio 2016 Olympics.
Photo Credit: und.com
