United States based sprinter, Favour Ofili, at the weekend, reclaimed her place at the top of Nigeria’s 200m rankings after clocking 22.46 seconds in the Women’s 200m Olympic Development event at the Tom Jones Memorial meet.

Ofili is expected to run for Nigeria at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, following World Athletics rejection of her nationality switch to Turkey.

Running into a stiff -2.0 m/s headwind, the 23-year-old finished third in her heat behind Adidas teammate McKenzie Long, who won in 22.42, and Mariah Maxwell, who also crossed in 22.44, both wind-aided.

With the performance, Ofili supplanted Kelly Ufodiama (22.53) as Nigeria’s leader in the half-lap race for 2026.

Since 2021, Ofili has ended every season as the nation’s fastest over 200m, beginning with her 22.23 at the World U20 Championships in Kenya. She remains the Nigerian record holder at 21.96 seconds.

Elsewhere in Gainesville, Olayinka Olajide ran a wind-aided 22.76 to place ninth overall in the Women’s 200m Invite. Success Oyibu (22.99) and Esther Joseph (23.09) also posted wind-assisted times, finishing 16th and 21st respectively.

Meanwhile, reigning Nigerian 100m champion, Israel Okon, at the weekend, powered to victory in the men’s 200m Invite at the Tom Jones Invitational, clocking an impressive 20.27s (+1.6).

The performance not only secured the win but also stands as both the Nigerian and collegiate lead this season.