Nigeria will have only two representatives at the prestigious Wanda Diamond League Final in Zurich next weekend, as Tobi Amusan and Favour Ofili secured their places in the showdown while other athletes fell short.
Following the conclusion of the qualification rounds across the women’s 200m, 100m hurdles, men’s 400m hurdles, and shot put, organisers confirmed the final standings on Friday.
Ofili, who only began her Diamond League campaign at the ninth stop of the 15-leg series, managed to scrape through in the women’s 200m, finishing eighth overall with 13 points.
Traditionally, the eighth lane is reserved for a wild card entry, but she has been awarded a spot in line with competition regulations.
The Louisiana State University alumna now has the chance to etch her name in history by becoming just the second Nigerian after Amusan, to win a Diamond League trophy.
Amusan, meanwhile, qualified with ease in the women’s 100m hurdles.
Despite placing fifth in Lausanne with a time of 12.82 seconds, the world record holder amassed 27 points to finish second overall, behind American Grace Stark who leads with 35 points.
The 27-year-old Nigerian star will be chasing her fourth Diamond League crown in Zurich, returning to the track where she won her first two titles.
She previously claimed her third title in Eugene, the same venue where she captured world championship gold and set a world record in 2022.
Nigeria’s other hopefuls were less fortunate. In the men’s 400m hurdles, Ezekiel, who began his campaign in Eugene, finished ninth with 13 points, just one place outside the qualification zone.
Even eighth place would not have assured him entry, with the lane appearing to be reserved for a wild card athlete.
Similarly, shot putter Chukwuebuka, a finalist last season, also fell short.
He concluded the campaign in seventh position with 13 points, narrowly missing the cut for Zurich.
With only Amusan and Ofili advancing, Nigeria’s hopes now rest squarely on their shoulders as they prepare to battle the world’s best at the iconic Weltklasse meeting in Zurich.
