Team Nigeria Shines At USATF Invitational In Texas
Team Nigeria’s relays tour of the United States yielded some positive results, as the country’s men and women 4x100m teams finished tops in their respective races at the USATF Invitational in Texas.
Team Nigeria started the tour of US three weeks ago with the PVAMU Invitational in Texas, where the mixed relay team posted a good result.
At yesterday’s event also held in Texas, Team Nigeria defeated Canada, Trinidad and Tobago and some other American clubs in the women’s 4x100m, posting a time of 43.06 seconds, which puts the country at number 11 in the world and number one for the remaining spot at the Tokyo Olympics.
Team USA could not raise a complete squad for the relay events yesterday.
#TeamNigeria competed in men & women’s 4x100m some minutes ago at the #USTAFInvitational in Texas, winning both races. The women’s team defeated Canada, posting an SB of 43.06s, just one hundredth off the 43.05s that ranks the team 16th in the Top List en route #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/IDf5JKjWbx
— Making of Champions (@MakingOfChamps) May 25, 2021
Joy Udo-Gabriel started the women’s 4x100m race and handed over to Grace Nwokocha, who handed the baton to Rosemary Chukwuma before Commonwealth Games and two-time African champion, Tobi Amusan, who arrived Team Nigeria’s camp a few days ago, anchored the race in lane 4.
In the men’s 4x100m, the Nigerian team also defeated Trinidad and Tobago, clocking a time of 39.56s, while the latter got to the line in a time of 39.81s. Nigeria is ranked 17th in the men’s category, and needs to massively improve on the 38.59s they ran in Rabat two years ago. pic.twitter.com/ZIoQXMf7MO
— Making of Champions (@MakingOfChamps) May 25, 2021
In the men’s 4x100m relay, Nigeria also won, with Enoch Adegoke starting the race and handing the baton to Chidi Okezie, who handed it to Jerry Jakpa, while Godson Brume anchored in lane 5 amidst terrible weather.
Bad weather (lightening and thunder) temporarily put the event on hold. Before then, Nigeria’s long jumper, Ese Brume, was leading her event with 6.61m.
Ese Brume opened up with a good leap of 6.61m (+0.9) on her first attempt, competing in women’s Long Jump at the #USTAFInvitational. It is a Season’s Best from Brume, who improved on the 6.60m she jumped last week. She leads the event, and should improve in her subsequent jumps. pic.twitter.com/KvvJxQYqAp
— Making of Champions (@MakingOfChamps) May 25, 2021
Meanwhile, former President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Solomon Ogba, has praised the athletes for their performances despite the terrible weather condition in Texas yesterday.
The remainder of the USATF Invitational has been canceled due to weather. The men’s pole vault was moved indoors. Results will be posted as soon as possible following the conclusion of the competition.
— USATF (@usatf) May 25, 2021
Chidi Nwoke/The Guardian.
