Shell sponsored Chiamaka Egbochinam held her own in a very competitive Girls’ 100m field to clinch the Silver medal for Anambra State at the ongoing National Youth Games in Ilorin.
In fact that medal was so significant, because it is the first medal of any colour that Anambra State would be winning at the games, propelling their state Sports commissioner Dr Mrs Uju Nwaogo to come down and personally congratulate her after the race.
Egbochinam ran the fastest time of the three semifinals to win heat 2 in 12.18s, became the cynosure of all eyes just before the final as many spectators eagerly anticipated her participation in the final.
The 16-year old raced through from lane 6 finishing 2nd with a Season’s Best (SB) of 12.15s just behind Bayelsa’s Marvelous Asemota who won in 12.02s, with Akwa Ibom’s Peace Okon 3rd in 12.22s.
Interestingly, Egbochinam won double Bronze in the 100m and 200m last year in this particular championship, and has now upgraded to Silver to show the steady progression she is making in her career.
Also competing in the 200m, Egbochinam has a strong chance of leaving Ilorin with two medals just as she did on her first appearance in 2016.
Last year, Egbochinam was awarded a two-year scholarship by SNEPCO as the fastest 15-year old in Nigeria, to study and train with Olympic medallist Deji Aliu. Egbochinam has not looked back winning 100m Bronze at the National Junior & Youth Championships held this year in June at the National Stadium in Abuja.
With the progress she has made within a short period, it is only a matter of time before she carries over her impressive youth form into the junior category and the seniors as well.
