How Omotosho rescued gold medal in 4x400m mixed relay

But for a brilliant effort by Omolara Omotosho, Team Nigeria would have lost out in the battle for gold medal in the 4x400m mixed relay on day two of athletics events at the ongoing 13th Africa Games in Ghana.

Against all expectations, the Nigerian 4x400m mixed relay team came from behind to steal the show by winning the gold medal and also setting a new African record.

Emmanuel Ifeanyi Ojeli started the race and handed over the baton to Patience Okon-George, but a strong Botswananthird-leg runner, BayapoNdori, proved too much for Sikiru Adeyemi to handle.

By the time Adeyemi handed over the baton to Omolara Omotosho, many fans inside the University of Ghana Stadium to catch a glimpse of the athletics event had written off the chances of Nigeria getting the gold medal.

By this time, Botswana had taken the lead with a good 30m gap. But like a brand-new Peugeot 504 car, Omotosho made the great comeback to the surprise of athletics followers, dug deep and kept up the pace.

With the crowd cheering, particularly the flags and banners-waving Nigerian supporters, Omotosho opened up at the home stretch and overtook Botswana’s anchor, Lydia Jele.

Her never-say-die attitude further charged up spectators inside the stadium, as they rose on their feet screaming at the top of their voices. Omotosho coasted home in 3.13. 26seconds, which erased the 3.13.60 seconds African record.

The performance also put Nigeria in a good qualification position for the Olympics 2024.Speaking with journalists on her great run, Omotosho said: “I was closing up and told myself that I can do it and just kept on going.”

Before the 4x400m mixed relay team event, Nigeria had lost the gold medal in both male and female 100m races. While Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme won the gold in 10.14seconds, Nigeria’s UshoritseItshekiri upgraded from the bronze he won five years ago to second (10.23), and Namibia‘s Hainuca was third in 10.29. Another Nigerian, Consider Ekanem was fourth in 10.42 seconds.

In the women’s 100m final, Nigeria’s Olajide picked the bronze medal in 11.55seconds. The other Nigerian, Justina Tiana Eyakpobeyen was fifth in 11.60seconds in the race won by Bass Bitaye Gina Mariam of The Gambia. She posted 11.36seconds.