On a day in which the rain came in torrents, it was the trio of Daniel Atinaya, Jerry Jakpa and Praise Idamadudu who braved the odds to clinch victories in grating conditions on the last day of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Golden League which took place at the Delta State Polytechnic Sports Complex, Ozoro.
Jakpa, who set the fastest time in the qualifiers yesterday, was the overwhelming favourite to win the final of the men’s 200m race. It’s safe to say that the task was made easier when the 2017 National Junior Champion, Usheoritse Itsekiri was disqualified for beating the gun.
The race went on, and Jakpa, who appeared to have had a bit of a wobble at the start, recovered well on the bend to streak away from the chasing pack to win in a time of 21.55s. ThankGod Igube placed 2nd in the race in 21.76s, while Samuel Osadolor finished 3rd in 22.05s.
In contrast, the final of the women’s 200m race was more riveting. With very little to separate them, Nwokocha Nzubechi and Margaret Bolufawi went neck to neck until the finish line. In the end, it was the former who won in 24.37s. Bolufawi (24.38) and Marvelous Asemota (24.77s) were 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Nwokocha Nzubechi and Margaret Bolufawi in the women’s 200m final.
In the men’s 400m race, Daniel Atinaya had his revenge on Making of Champions’ (MoC) Emmanuel Ojeli after the latter pipped him to victory at the MoC Grand Prix and Relays last week. Atinaya claimed victory this time around in 47.65s, while Sikiru Adeyemi came through in 2nd place in 47.73s. Ojeli settled for 3rd in 48.35s.
On Idamadudu’s part, the quatermiler didn’t have to break a sweat to win the women’s 400m final. Shoved among a sea of MoC athletes, the 2018 Commonwealth Games medallist emerged victorious in 54.87s.
MoC’s Ifunanya Muoghalu crossed the line in 55.38s to finish 2nd, while Blessing Ovwighoadjebre placed 3rd in a time of 55.62s.
Abejoye Oyeniyi was in a class of his own as he cinched victory in the men’s 110m Hurdles final. The Eaglesight athlete clocked a time of 14.20s, as Decathlete Peter Moreno came through the finish line in 2nd place.
Grace Ayemoba won the women’s 100m Hurdles final in a time of 13.80s, while Rita Ossai claimed victory in the women’s 400m Hurdles final.
Shehu Mu’azu held sway in the men’s 10,000m race, winning in a time of 32:38.23. Rose Akusho was the woman to cross the finish line first in the 5000m. She posted a time of 17:13.36s.
Furthermore, the 10,000m Race Walk for both men and women saw Gbenga Fatoyinbo (47:44.12) and Fadekemi Olude (48.01.09) clinch victories respectively.
Field Events
Starting with the throws, Kingsley Igbinosun fended off competition from Lawrence Onyejiaka to win the men’s Javelin in a mark of 53.22m. Also, Austin Nwoye won the men’s Discus throw in 44.59s.
Equally, Hope Ideh was the stand-out thrower in the women’s Javelin as she registered a mark of 35.35m to win the event.
