Team Nigeria In Slow Start In Beijing

Protest Ukaoma’s Exclusion In 400m Hurdles

Team Nigeria’s officials in Beijing, venue of the 2015 IAAF World Championship are crying foul, following the exclusion of the country’s 400m hurdler, Miles Ukaoma, from the semi-final event yesterday.

The championship began yesterday morning with Ukaoma placing fifth in the 400m heat with a time of 49.38 sec, while a Belgian, Michael Bultheal, placed sixth in heat 5 also in a time of 49.38 sec.

After the heats, the first four athletes in each of the heats qualify automatically alongside four fastest losers.

However, Nigeria’s Ukaoma was excluded from the semifinal, while the Belgian (Bultheal), who placed sixth in his heat, made it to the semi. It did not go down well with Nigeria’s officials and other fans at the venue. They argued that Ukaoma had a better placing (fifth) and should have gotten the ticket to the semi instead of the Belgian, who finished sixth. Though, others argued yesterday that the Belgian heat was faster.

Meanwhile, Team Nigeria’s Uhunoma Osazuwa will begin her hunt for a medal in the women heptathlon event today in the women’s Javelin. 

Another Nigerian athlete, Amaka Ogoegbunam, will also begin her quest for medal in the women 400m hurdles in heats 5, lane 7, just as one of Beijing 2015 biggest stars and Team Nigeria medal hope, Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor, will step on the track of Bird Nest Stadium where she won her first Olympics medal seven years ago.