Fresh from the National Trials in Benin, Edo State, Team Nigeria began their outing at the 23rd African Athletics Championships holding in Stade Japoma, Cameroon, on a strong footing, climbing to the top of the medals table on Day 1 with two GOLD medals, one Silver and one Bronze.
Anumba tossed her implement to a mark of 59.30m on her final attempt, improving on her 59.01m that kept her in the lead throughout the competition. African Games Champion, Obiageri Amaechi claimed Silver with a distance of 58.80m while defending champion, Chioma Onyekwere settled for Bronze with a mark of 57.96m.
The last time Nigeria had a medal sweep in this event was in 2016 at the Durban edition where Nwanneka Okwegolu, Chinwe Okoro, and Chioma Onyekwere finished 1-2-3 respectively.
Emeka Jeffery competed in the Decathlon event, coming in 2nd in the 100m while setting a new Personal Best (PB) of 10.60m in the Shot put to finish 4th, improving on his previous best of 10.47m, set earlier this year in Asaba. He also placed third in the Long jump with a distance of 7.16m and won the High Jump with 2.05m.
In the men’s 100m heats, Kanyinsola Ajayi, the new Nigerian 100m champion, won Heat 3 with a time of 10.21s while Usheoritse Itsekiri came in 2nd in Heat 2 with 10.36s. Godson Brume finished 3rd in Heat 2 with a time of 10.51s.
In the women’s event, Favour Ofili (11.22s) and Olajide Olayinka (11.67s) won their respective heats to advance to the semifinals. Rosemary Chukwuma (11.32s) finished 2nd to African Record holder Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith (11.14s) in Heat 1 to also qualify for the next round.
Chidi Okezie (46.16s) and Dubem Amene (46.13s) won their respective 400m heats to qualify for the semifinals, and will be joined by teammate Samuel Ogazi (46.56s) who came in 2nd in his heat. The sole entrant in the women’s 400m, Esther Elo Joseph settled for 3rd place in her heat in 52.86s.
Tobi Amusan DNS (Did Not Start) the women’s 100-meter hurdles, having taken ill in Cameroon. Team Nigeria’s other entrant in the event, Adaobi Tabugbo placed 4th in her heat.
Goodness Iredia and Emmanuel Njoku both qualified for the men’s Long Jump final. The newly crowned National Triple Jump Champion Iredia topped Group B in the qualifying rounds with his best effort of 7.70m while Njoku finished 2nd in Group A with 7.79m.
