U.S.-based Bamgboye goes for 100m hurdles gold today
Following Nigeria’s inability to win the gold medals in three events concluded on Wednesday, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s (AFN) Technical Director, Gabriel Okon, has pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with his team. He assured: “We will get to our areas of strength soon.”
Praise Ikweki’s bronze medal in High Jump was the first medal for the country at the ongoing combined African Athletes U-18/U-20 Championships, which commenced Wednesday at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, in Abeokuta.
The continental showpiece witnessed the finals of high jump, triple jump, 1500m, and the 100m heat for both male and female categories. Ikwesi, who paired with Melvin Ododo, started from 1.80m, achieving a perfect record until a near miss at 2.03m before he settled for bronze. He missed his three attempts at 2.06m after hitting the pole, paving the way for South Africa’s Mateo Le Roux to win the gold.
All focus was on Okon as the spectators watched visiting athletes sweep the gold medals.
“This is just the opening day of the championships, and I want Nigerians to be patient with our young athletes,” Okon told The Guardian. “I know we have a difficult task here, but we will scale through. I don’t want people to judge us by the results of the first day.”
Nigeria later yesterday won two gold medals, one silver and two bronze medals in sprint events.
In the U-18 women’s 100m final, the trio of Ezechukwu Miracle, Nwankwo Rosemary and Jegede Mariam made it One, two, three for Nigeria. Miracle ran 11.88sec to win the gold, while Nwankwo and Jegede returned in 11.96 seconds and 12.20 seconds respectively.
In the U-20 women, it was gold and silver for Nigeria through Nweke Chioma (11.66sec) and Oyibo Success Oghene (11.78sec) respectively, while Lou Yonan of Cote d’Ivoire got the bronze in 11.87 seconds. Nigeria also got a bronze in the men’s U-20 race.
Meanwhile, U.S.-based 100m hurdler, Divine Feyisara Bamgboye, has assured Nigerians that she would do everything possible to put smiles on their faces today when she competes in the final of the U-20 event.
Bamgboye said: “I came prepared for these championships and I am sure I will make Nigerians proud.”
