It’s finally time for the world’s biggest sporting fiesta to take center stage in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. The Olympics Village has already come alive with the arrival of several athletes from all over the world, and Team Nigeria is also well represented.
One thing is sure when the Games officially begin on Friday August 5th; several World Records (WR) will tumble, Olympic Records (OR) will be smashed, and new National Records (NR) set.
Team Nigeria athletes will hope to be among these historic record breakers, and on that note, we bring you our Top 5 Nigerian Athletes based on current form, to watch out for at Rio 2016.
5. DIVINE ODUDURU
Oduduru’s career has witnessed a steady rise in the past two years, as the sprinter of the “I never experred it” fame, has gone on to make podium placements in most of his races home and abroad.
The reigning African Double Sprints Junior Champion won his first global medal at the 2014 World Junior Championships in Oregon, racing to a wind assisted time of 20.25s to win the Silver medal. Since then he has not looked back, and will be aiming to prove himself once again when Track and Field events take off on August 12 at the Games.
So far, Oduduru has won 10 medals at every competition he has participated in for the country. The only exception was this year’s African Championships in Durban where he couldn’t compete in the final due to an injury, after posting the second fastest time in the semifinals.
However within the country, the African Games Silver medallist has been the most consistent athlete, setting Personal Best’s (PB) in most of his 100m races. The most memorable one was at the Akure Golden League where he defeated former Nigerian 100m Champion, Ogho Oghene-Egwero for the first time in his career, clocking a then PB of 10.29s.
At the 2016 Nigerian Trials in Sapele, he had a fantastic outing, scooping two medals on Day 2 of the championship, stopping the clock at 10.25s to place 2nd in the 100m, before going on to regain his 200m title from 2014 in 20.51s.
Based on his performances thus far, the Delta State athlete got a sponsorship deal with leading financial institution Union Bank, as one of its five ambassadors for the Olympic Games, which will unarguably boost his morale when he goes against other stiff competitors from around the world.
Oduduru may not be a favourite for a medal at the Games, but it’s almost certain that he’ll run a PB and maybe move a step higher by going under the 20s mark for the first time in his career.
