Athletics: Team Nigeria Stars Shine At African Games
Building on their strong start, Team Nigeria continued its impressive performances in different events on another thrilling day at the 13th edition of the African Games in Ghana.
Their performances suggests Team Nigeria are strong contenders and could potentially finish high on the medals leaderboard.
Women’s 800m
Nigerian athlete Comfort James is through to the final of women’s 800m and she did it running an equal Personal Best of 2:05.11.
Running in heat 3, James came in 4th and it was enough for her to make her maiden international final.
Men’s 800m
In the men’s 800m category, Hamid Sambo gave it his all, finishing 6th in 1:51.28. Sambo had barely eaten anything all day, but he showed up and tried his best for his country.
Mixed 4x400m
Nigeria’s Mixed 4x400m team turned up at the University of Ghana Sports stadium, running an initial Games Record to qualify for the final on Tuesday.
The quartet of Emmanuel Ojeli, Patience Okon-George, Samson Nathaniel and Omolara Ogunmankinju got round the baton to post a Season’s Best of 3:15.23.
Women’s 100m
First African Games, first 100m final for Olayinka Olajide who became the first Nigerian athlete to qualify for the final of her event in Athletics at the African Games.
Olajide got to the line in a time of 11.46s (-1.5), getting a qualification needed to secure a place in the final. Congo’s Natacha Akamabi thought she had the win in the first semifinal, but Olayinka came flashing past her in the final 20 metres
Also, Justina Eyakpobeyan qualified for the women’s 100m final at the African Games. Eyakpobeyan led from start to finish in her own heat, clocking 11.61s.
Women’s 400m
Nigerian athlete Esther Elo Joseph was the fastest woman in the five 400m heats at the African Games, as she posted a Lifetime’s Best of 51.81s.
Esther Elo had shown signs of what was coming, clocking a then PB of 52.00s last month at the MTN African Games trials in Asaba.
Men’s 100m
Nigerian National Champion Usheoritse Itsekiri dazzled in the third semifinal of the 100m event in Ghana, clocking a time of 10.29s to claim victory, to qualify for the men’s 100m final at the African Games in Ghana.
Making of Champions/Chidi Nwoke.
