Nigeria’s three entrants in the 200m event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games all advanced to the semis after competing in the heats at the Carrara Stadium in Gold Coast on Tuesday.
Praise Idamadudu who was drawn in Heat 1, sealed one of the automatic qualifying slots after finishing 4th in a Season’s Best (SB) of 23.55s, with Canada’s Crystal Emmanuel taking the race in 22.72s, the overall fastest time in the heats, while Shashalee Forbes (22.88s, SB) and Semoy Hackett followed (23.37s).
In the same vein, Isoken Igbinosun also finished 4th in Heat 5 in 23.54s as Shericka Jackson stormed to victory in 22.87s, finishing ahead of Bianca Williams (23.20s) and Kamaria Durant (23.33s).
Nigeria’s sole representative in the men’s event, National Champion Emmanuel Arowolo, secured one of the six fastest losers’ spots having placed 3rd in Heat 1 with a time of 20.99s. The race was won by London 2012 Bronze medallist Warren Weir.
The 200m semis come up on Wednesday. Idamadudu has been drawn in Semifinal 2 which comes up at 11.18am (Nigerian time), and will face tournament favourites, Jamaica’s Elaine Thompson, and Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas.
Igbinosun will compete in Semifinal 3 (11.26am) and will rub shoulders with Emmanuel and Forbes.
Arowolo will square off with South Africa’s Clarence Munyai, Weir, and Canadian Aaron Brown in the men’s Semifinal 1 which comes up at 11.50am.
