For the second time at this 20th National Sports Festival, Grace Nwokocha staked her claim as one of the finest sprinters in the country as she romped to victory in the women’s 200m.
Less than 48 hours after powering to GOLD in the 100m and going through the 200m rounds without breaking much sweat, the Delta State athlete has now run under 23s for the first time in her career, as she clocked a new lifetime best of 22.79s, a time that also sees her qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics!
Bayelsa’s Tima Godbless, who has been growing in confidence since her Bronze medal in the 100m, ran a new Personal Best (PB) of 23.65 for 2nd, with Delta’s Praise Ofoku also getting on the PB train to take 3rd in 23.74s.
Like an athlete who knows more can be given on the track, Nwokocha walked briskly past the timer with almost the same expression on her face when she took to the blocks.
Bolting off from the blocks with so much finesse and poise, Nwokocha was already in the lead after 50 meters and entered the home straight ahead of Godbless. Looking every bit like her 100m race two days back, there was no way that anyone would have beaten her today.
Already qualified for the Olympics in the 100m, Nwokocha clearly had something to spare, too, as she was smiling through the last 20 meters of the race to win by a canter.
