It was another jam-packed weekend for Nigerian Track and Field overseas as athletes competing in the indoor circuit participated in several meets, with many of the country’s finest athletes making their debut appearances for 2024.
World Record Holder Tobi Amusan once again made the nation extremely proud by shattering Glory Alozie’s African Indoor Record set in Madrid 25 years ago while opening her season at the Astana Indoor Meeting in Kazakhstan.
Amusan first clocked 7.91s in the heats before returning with a jaw-dropping Personal Best (PB) and African Record of 7.77s to win the women’s 60m hurdles final, which is the second-fastest time in 2024. She defeated Nia Ali who ran 7.89s, while Sarah Lavin placed 3rd in a PB of 7.91s.
Elsewhere, Usheoritse Itsekiri was in action at the Knights of Columbus Games in Saskatoon where he clocked a time of 6.65s to win the men’s 60m ahead of Malachi Murray in 6.69s. Itsekiri also competed in the 50m where he dashed to a World Lead of 5.71s.
African Champion Chukwuebuka Enekwechi threw a Seasons Best (SB) and African Lead at the Orlen Cup Łódź where he competed in the men’s Shot Put, finishing 2nd with a mark of 21.14m. He finished behind Leonardo Fabbri who tossed 21.26m.
While competing at the Razorback Invitational, Favour Ofili started her 2024 campaign with an impressive 22.87s to win her heat ahead of Lynna Irby-Jackson (23.32s) and Maia McCoy (23.84s).
Ella Onojuvewvo clocked a PB of 52.53s to win her heat, shaving off 0.19s off her initial PB to rank 7th on the LSU all-time list.
Godson Brume ran a 21.54s to finish second in his heat ranking him 16th overall.
Djoma Praise, a freshman at LSU competed in both the Long jump and Triple Jump where she recorded marks of 5.20m and 11.82m respectively.
Over at the PNC Lenny Lyles Invite, Rosemary Chukwuma bolted to a fast season opener of 7.22s to grab a 2nd place finish in the women’s 60m final after clocking 7.28s in the prelims.
Middle Tennessee’s Junior, Stephen Eloji ran a PB of 7.70s to finish 2nd in the men’s 60m hurdles final. This is the fourth fastest time currently in the NCAA.
South Florida’s Goodness Iredia broke the Meeting Record (MR) with a PB leap of 15.92m to emerge victorious in the men’s Triple Jump.
Memphis’ Prior Ochonogor ran a PB of 21.75s to finish 3rd in the men’s 200m while later posting 48.31s in the men’s 400m.
Alaba Akintola made his season debut with a solid 6.67s run in the prelims and 6.70s in the final of the men’s 60m. He also clocked an SB of 21.75s in the 200m.
