Okagbare Battles U.S. Sprinters In London

Regina George Flops In 400m 

AFRICA and Commonwealth’s queen of the track, Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor, will have to overcome challenges from a park of American sprinters this afternoon, if she must defend the 100m title she won two years at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.

Another Nigerian in the competition, Regina George, finished last in the women’s 400m final yesterday in poor time of 51.95 in a race won by America’s Natasha Hastings in 50.24 seconds. The 10th IAAF Diamond League in London will end this afternoon, with the women’s 100m race among the events on the card. Okagbare will begin her 100m event today in line four, heat 2.

She is surrounded by American sprinters. In lane 1 is America’s Alexandria Anderson, who has a Personal Best time of 10.91 seconds. Another American, Tianna Bartoletta, is in lane 2, while Darry Neitta of Great Britain will run in lane 3.

Okagbare with Personal Best time of 10.79 seconds is in lane 4 flanked by two other Americans, Shalonda (lane 6) and Charonda Williams (lane 7. Great Britain’s Jodie Williams is in lane 8.

Two years ago, the Sapele-born Okagbare ran the race of her life at the same venue to emerge Africa’s fastest woman in 100m, finishing with a winning time of 10.79 seconds.

That was on July 27, 2013. Okagbare, who is expected in Nigeria next week for the All Nigerian Open Championship, which will serve as selection of track and field star for the Beijing 2015 IAAF World Championship and the All African Games in Congo Brazzaville, is favoured to win today’s race in London, going by her current form. She has run a best time of 10.80 seconds this season.

Another Nigerian in the competition, Regina George, finished last in the women’s 400m final yesterday in poor time of 51.95 in a race won by America’s Natasha Hastings in 50.24 seconds.