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Nigerians in London form supporters club for Okagbare

By Gowon Akpodonor
23 July 2015   |   1:16 am
As Africa and Commonwealth’s queen of the track, Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor, hits the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London for this weekend’s 10th IAAF Diamond League, some Nigerian residents in the city are said to have formed what has been described as make-shift Supporters Club for her.
Blessing Okagbare       PHOTO: IAAF.

Blessing Okagbare PHOTO: IAAF.

As Africa and Commonwealth’s queen of the track, Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor, hits the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London for this weekend’s 10th IAAF Diamond League, some Nigerian residents in the city are said to have formed what has been described as make-shift Supporters Club for her.

Two years ago, the Urhobo-born Okagbare ran the race of her life at the same venue to emerge Africa’s fastest woman in 100m. She finished with a winning time of 10.79 seconds, beating Barbara Piere and Kelly-Anne Baptiste to 2nd and 3rd positions respectively. That was on July 27, 2013.

All eyes will certainly be on Okagbare, as she steps into the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park once again for the Diamond League this weekend.

The US-based Nigerian speed star is favoured to win the race, going by her current form. She has run a best time of 10.80 seconds this season, and may be propelled into breaking her record, as she will be competing alongside one of her biggest rivals in Africa, Cote d’Ivoire’s Muriel Ahoure, who is also based in the United States.

On her way to winning the gold medal at London 2013 IAAF Diamond League, Okagbare broke the African record in 10.86 seconds in the semis, before she broke the same record in the final in 10.79secs.

Apart from Cote d’Ivoire’s Ahoure, who won the 100m at the African Senior Athletics Championship in Porto Novo, Benin Republic in 2012, Okagbare is also expected to face new British 100m record-holder, Dina Asher-Smith, as well as double European champion, Dafne Schippers.

The London 2015 IAAF Diamond League will prevent Okagbare from appearing in the Confederation of Africa Athletics CAA/Warri Grand Prix taking place tomorrow at the Warri City Stadium. Over 70 athletes from different parts of the World are featuring in the race.

Some London-based Nigerians, who are eagerly looking forward to see Okagbare in action, are said to be trooping the venue with the aim of taking photographs with the beauty queen (Okagbare).

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