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How Rivers athlete Itsekiri won 100m gold at Abuja 2018 sports festival

By Fidelis Ebu, Abuja
14 December 2018   |   4:06 am
Usheoritse Itsekiri and Bukola Boluwatife emerged the fastest man and woman in athletics sprint event decided on Wednesday evening in the 19th National Sports Festival holding in Abuja National Stadium. In the men’s 100m dash, the Delta state-born Usheoritse, who is representing Rivers State, crossed the finishing line ahead others in 10.27 seconds. Veteran Ogho-Oghene…

Ogho-Oghene Egwero (second from right) on his way to the finish line in the 100m race during Delta State Sports Festival at Ozoro Polytechnic Stadium, which he won in a time of 10.52 seconds. He picked a silver medal in Abuja on Wednesday. PHOTO: HENRY ONINI

Usheoritse Itsekiri and Bukola Boluwatife emerged the fastest man and woman in athletics sprint event decided on Wednesday evening in the 19th National Sports Festival holding in Abuja National Stadium.

In the men’s 100m dash, the Delta state-born Usheoritse, who is representing Rivers State, crossed the finishing line ahead others in 10.27 seconds.

Veteran Ogho-Oghene Egwero of Team Delta picked the silver medal after crossing the line in 10.32 seconds, while Enoch Obaloluwa Adegoke of Rivers state settled for the bronze medal in 10.32 seconds.

“It was a great experience, a great competition. I am happy I got the job done. I wasn’t expecting to win because the other guys had better training than me, so I just came here to run,” Usheoritse said after the hotly contested sprint.

The technical officials explained that Egwero’s torso was noticed across the finishing line ahead others, a development that earned him the silver medal.

Former Nigerian sprint champion, Obinna Metu of Anambra state was the biggest disappointment in the 100m race, as he finished in a distance 7th position with the time of 10.55 seconds.

In the women’s dash, Bukola Margaret Boluwatife of Ondo state posted 11.45 seconds to clinch the gold medal, and Peace Uko of Akwa Ibom returned in 11.52 for the silver medal. Joy Gabriel Udoh of Team Delta finished in third position with the time of 11.53 seconds to settle for the bronze medal.

Excited Boluwarife said: “I didn’t believe I could win this race. In 2013 I was in the camp and I had injury. Since then I was not able to come to the tracks.

“This is the first time for me coming back to the tracks since 2013. I dedicate this victory to God Almighty. He made it possible for me to be here with my leg, because it’s not ok. I broke my leg in camp.”

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