Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare has qualified for the women’s 100m semifinals at the Rio 2016 Olympics, clocking 11.16s to finish 2nd in Heat 3 to take one of the two automatic qualification spots.

Running from Lane 5, Okagbare didn’t stress herself so much in the race knowing that a first two finish guarantees her a place in the next round as she is trying not to run her best races in the early stages yet.

2015 world Bronze medallist, Tori Bowie won the race in a time of 11.13s, with Angela Tenorio finishing 3rd in 11.35s.

This will be Okagbare’s successive 100m semifinal qualification at the Olympics, and the Commonwealth Champion will be hoping for a better outing than at the London 2012 Games

Meanwhile in the other races involving Team Nigeria athletes, Gloria Asumnu finished 5th in Heat 2 with a time of 11.55s, same as Jennifer Madu who competed in Heat 5, making her first international bow and finishing with a time of 11.61s.

Making his first appearance at the Olympics, Orukpe Eraiyokan ran a Season’s Best (SB) of 47.42s to finish 7th in Heat 7. It is the fastest time Eraiyokan is running since he ran a lifetime best of 44.95s at the African Games in Congo last year.

After four events in the Heptathlon, Uhunoma Osazuwa is currently in 24th position, after amassing a points tally of 3609. The African Championship & Nigerian Record holder will hope to do well in the remaining events: Long Jump, Javelin and 800m to improve on her standings.

 

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Athletics coverage was a discovery, having to move away from regularly writing about Football. Although it was initially daunting, but now being an authority in it makes the past effort worthwhile. From travelling on the same international flight with Nigerian athletes, to knowing you could easily interview: World Record holder Tobi Amusan, then Ese Brume, I have cut my teeth in this beat earning the trust of Athletics sources. Formerly the Content Manager-Sports at Ringier media Nigeria, Chris is a Senior Sports writer, Photographer & Community manager at Making of Champions.

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