It was yet another exciting week for Nigerian athletes in the collegiate and professional scene as the pursuit to make the Paris 2024 Olympic qualification standard continues.
Temitope Adeshina’s performance at the Corky Classic in Lubbock, Texas, was one of the major weekly highlights in Athletics globally. The Texas Tech freshman scaled a World Leading mark of 1.96m to break her School Record (SR), National Record (NR), and most importantly, her Personal Best(PB) to win the women’s High Jump in just her second competition of the season.
The mark saw her shatter Doreen Amata’s Indoor Record of 1.93m set in 2016. She now ranks second on the all-time African Indoor List behind South Africa’s Hesterie Colette (1.97m).
Ezekiel Nathaniel broke the 5-year-old NCAA 600-yard record of 1:07.67s formerly held by Roshon Roomes to win the event in 1:07.44s ahead of LSU’s Sean Burrell (1:08.23s).
Dubem Nwachukwu started his indoor campaign with a Seasons Best (SB) of 46.30s in the men’s 400m to place 3rd in his heat behind Zarik Brown (46.03s) and Shaemar Uter (46.04s).
Success Umukoro clocked a PB of 23.49s to finish 2nd place in her heat behind LSU’s Thelma Davies who took the win in 23.32s, while teammates Godson Brume and Ella Onojuvewvo commenced their season by posting times of 21.40s and 23.91s (PB) in their respective heats.
National Record Holder, Ruth Usoro won the women’s Triple Jump with a mark of 13.89m, which came in her second attempt while compatriot Onaara Obamuwagun placed 6th in 13.07m.
Over at the Simmons-Harvey Invitational in Michigan, Dubem Amene dashed to an SB of 46.17s to win the men’s 400m by more than a full second over countryman, James Onwuka who posted a 47.47s to place 2nd.
African Champion Chukwuebuka Enekwechi opened his season at the Larry Wieczorek Invitational where he won the men’s Shot Put with a substantial 20.63m on his first attempt. Nick Curtis (20.10m) and Tyler Sudduth (18.80m) placed 2nd and 3rd respectively.
