Team Nigeria displayed sprinting class as they dominated Day 3 of the competition with 4 GOLD and 1 Silver, increasing their medal tally to 11, which puts them on top of the medals table in Track and Field.
World Record Holder, Tobi Amusan three-peated in the women’s 100m hurdles after a false start scare that was eventually disregarded due to the noise from the spectators in the stadium.
Amusan bossed the field to take the win in 12.89s despite a strong headwind of 2.1m/s. Compatriot, Faith Osamuyi narrowly missed out on a podium finish, placing 4th with a time of 13.77s.
Chidi Okezie won the men’s 400m over heavy favourite Muzala Samukonga in a Personal Best (PB) of 45.06s, becoming the first Nigerian man since Innocent Egbunike in 1987 to take the title. Dubem Nwachukwu finished 8th in 47.13s.
Esther Elo Joseph broke her PB yet again to claim the Silver medal in the women’s 400m with a time of 51.61s behind World Champion Mary Moaraa of Kenya (50.57s).
Samson Nathaniel placed 4th in his 400m hurdles heat with a PB of 51.59s, his first time of racing in the event at an international meeting and only his second competition over the distance.
The anticipated relays went exactly as planned for Team Nigeria as they claimed both categories. The women’s 4×100m quartet consisting of Justina Eyakpobeyan, Olajide Olayinka, Moforehan Abinusawa and Tobi Amusan took the baton round cleanly to take the GOLD in 43.06s, narrowly missing the Games Record by 0.01. Liberia took the Silver in 44.02s while Ghana got the Bronze in 44.27s.
The men’s 4x100m relay wasn’t exactly a walk in the park for Team Nigeria’s Israel Okon Sunday, Consider Ekanem, Alaba Akintola and Usheoritse Itsekiri, but they were able to hold down Ghana who tried closing in on them in 38.41s to 38.43s, which is a Seasons Best for both nations. Liberia placed 3rd with a National Record of 38.73s.
