Team Nigeria’s quartet of Samson Nathaniel, Patience Okon-George, Dubem Amene and Imaobong Nse Uko put up a spirited display to book a place in their first ever final of the mixed 4x400m on Day 1 of the World Championships in Oregon, storming to a Season’s Best (SB) of 3:14.59 to place 5th in Heat 1.

Drawn in Lane 3 and flanked by defending champions – USA, and Olympic GOLD medallists, Poland, Nigeria, the only African team featured in the event, gave a good account of themselves, finishing 5th in their heat and crossing the line ahead of Great Britain and Belgium. Nigeria secured the last fastest losers spot to secure a place in the final which will be the last event for Day 1.

Wadeline Jonathas anchored USA to a sizzling World Lead (WL) of 3:11.75, partnering with Elijah Godwin, Kennedy Simon and Vernon Norwood to finish ahead of the Netherlands (3:12.63, SB), and Poland (3:13.70, SB) in Heat 1, with Italy settling for 4th in 3:13.89, SB). Dominican Republic won Heat 2 with 3:13.22, with Ireland and Jamaica following.

Nigeria currently holds the African Record (AR) in the event as Emmanuel Ojeli, Uko, Nathaniel and Okon-George clocked a time of of 3:13.60 at the Tokyo Olympics.

The final comes up at 3:50am (Nigerian time).

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Yemi Galadima is a Senior Sportswriter and Editor at Making of Champions. She has a bias for Athletics and was previously a Sports Reporter at the National Mirror, where she hosted a weekly column ‘On the Track with Yemi Olus’ for over two years. A self-acclaimed ‘athletics junkie’, she has covered national and international events live, such as the African Athletics Championships, African Games, Olympics and World Athletics Championships. She also freelances for World Athletics.

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