Two fast-rising sprinters, Chidera Ezeakor for the men and Chinoso Courage Odika in the female cadre, set tongues wagging early on the first day of action at the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) maiden Golden League.
Sports247 reports that the innovative track and field gathering got off to a blistering start at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, with early signs of great results ahead, especially with Ezeakor and Odika in top form.
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A media release by chairman of the AFN’s medica committee, Maxwell Kumoye revealed that both young sprinters were among the array of promising Nigerian athletes who enacted impressive performances on day one of the Series.
Ezeakor powered to victory in the men’s 100m, clocking 10.32 seconds with a legal wind reading of +0.4, while Tejiri Godwin finished second in a new personal best of 10.37, while Gift Bright returned 10.49 to seal third, also a PB.
In the women’s 100m final, Odika powered to 11.69s, edging out Mariam Jegede who clocked 11.74s for second spot, while Ejiro Peter completed the podium spots with a third-place finish in 11.76s.
The men’s long jump final saw Romeo Bernard lead with a wind-assisted a PB of 7.63m (+0.6), while Hope Okoro and Nkemakolam Godswill both leapt 7.35m, which meant they could only be separated by countback.
Okoro was eventually adjudged in second place courtesy of his superior series and Godswill placed third, followed by Jeffrey Miracle Onyia (7.22m) in fourth spot and Anthony Lucky Omosohwofa (7.14m) fifth.
In the men’s senior Discus Throw (2kg) final, 19-year-old Nyherhovwo Benaiah Ofuoku got a commanding throw of 45.95m to claim top spot and a PB that underlined him as one of the country’s brightest prospects in the event.
Chineme Akachiukwu Nweke followed in second with 38.10m, also a personal best, while Emmanuel Shakamomodu Audu secured third place with 36.27m, a season’s best that capped an impressive outing for the Edo athlete.
The women’s senior Javelin Throw (600g) final was equally electric, as Victoria Effiom Kparika delivered the standout performance of the day, launching the spear to 47.89m, a personal best that left the rest of the field chasing shadows.
Peace Udochukwu Eze finished second with 43.27m PB, while Gladys Ugbome claimed third with 30.79m. Ikomwosa Edith Enoma followed closely in fourth at 30.45m … all of which raised expectations high for better results on Tuesday.
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