Team Nigeria’s U-20 World Athletics Championships Day 1 Preview
Voice of Nigeria brings the full schedule of all Team Nigeria events on Day 1 of the U-20 World Athletics Championships taking place in Nairobi, Kenya. Follow us for the latest fixtures and results.
Nigeria will be represented by a team of up to 32 athletes when the 2021 World Athletics Junior Championships gets underway on Wednesday, July 18 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Team Nigeria comprises of 17 male and 15 female athletes, according to the provisional list published by World Athletics on 8th August (which is subject to change).
Men’s 100m Heats (8:20am)
In the men’s 100m, Godson Brume has the fastest time (10.13s) of any athlete going into the heats and he would be hoping to reignite the sort of form that saw him finish fourth at the Nigerian Championships in June.
Favour Ashe is another athlete to watch out for as he’s already raced to a windy 10.07s back in March, although he enters with the second-fastest time of 10.17s.
In preparation for the championships, he seems to be the sprinter in form having defeated his colleagues in pre-championship races while in camp.
Benjamin Richardson (10.17) of South Africa, Jamaica’s Bryan Levell (10.21), and Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo are some of the athletes that can challenge for the 100m title.
Women’s 100m Heats (7:35am)
Praise Ofoku and Tima Godbless have had outstanding seasons competing as Juniors in the Nigeria Athletics circuit all through the year. They will be looking to prove their worth when they jostle it out amongst some of the best junior athletes over the women’s 100m.
Ofoku with a Personal Best (PB) of 11.50s, is in Heat 2, while Godbless (PB of 11.48s) will be running in heat 3.
Men’s 400m Heats (9:40am)
Dubem Amene will be making his debut at the World Juniors for Nigeria. Amene comes into the men’s 400m as one of the fastest U-20 athletes with a PB of 46.20, a time he set while placing 3rd at the B1G Jesse Owens Classic in May.
Bamidele Ajayi (46.24)-Heat 3, is the other athlete competing for Nigeria in the event.
Women’s 400m Heats (9:15am)
Imaobong Nse Uko is undoubtedly the favourite for GOLD in the women’s 400m in Nairobi. With a PB of 51.70, which she set at the National Sports Festival in April, Nse will hope to end her season on a high note when she takes to the track in the heats on Day 1.
Nigeria’s other entry in the women’s 400m, Opeyemi Oke has been pitted in Heat 1 of the event.
Men’s Javelin
In the men’s Javelin, Nnamdi Chinecherem is ranked 6th going into the championships as he would be hoping to get on the podium after clinching GOLD at the African Youth Championships in Abidjan in 2019. He also won Bronze at the African Games in Rabat in 2019.
Morning Session (Kasarani Stadium)
7am – Mixed 4x400m Heats
7:35am – Women’s 100m Heats
Praise Ofoku (11.50) -Heat 2
Tima Godbless (11.48s) – Heat 3
8:20 am – Men’s 100m Heats
Godson Brume (10.13s) – Heat 1
Favour Ashe (10.17s) – Heat 2
9:15 am – Women’s 400m Heats
Nse Imaobong (51.70) – Heat 3
Opeyemi Oke (53.56) – Heat 1
9:40 am – Men’s 400m Heats
Dubem Amene ( 46.40) – Heat 2
Bamidele Ajayi (46.24) – Heat 3
Afternoon Session
2:10pm – Women’s 100m Semifinal-*if the Athletes qualify from their heats*
Praise Ofoku
Tima Godbless
2:14pm – Men’s Javelin Throw Qualification Group A
2:40pm – Men’s 100m Semifinal -*if the Athletes qualify from their heats*
Favour Ashe
Godson Brume
3:15 pm – Mixed 4x400m Final
NB: The times slated for the event are Nigerian times
Chidi Nwoke/Making of Champions.
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