Following their recent participation in the African Region 2 relay events in Togo, Nigeria is now shifting its focus to the upcoming Lagos Series as they continue its search for qualification in the men’s 4x100m, and women’s 4x400m relays for the Budapest 2023 World Championships.
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The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) made the trip to Togo but fell short of the desired results, with only the women’s 4x100m and mixed relay teams securing their tickets to the championships during the 18th World Championships held in Oregon, United States, last year.
In Togo, the women’s 4x400m team achieved a time of 3.29.09 seconds, narrowly missing the qualification mark, while the men’s 4x400m team finished in 3.02.91 seconds, also falling short by a narrow margin.
However, on Friday, the men’s 4x100m team provided a glimmer of hope by running a commendable 38.73 seconds, moving them closer to securing one of the 16 spots available in Budapest.
The quartet of Udodi Onwuzurike, Ushoritse Itsekiri, Alaba Akintola, and Seye Ogunlewe emerged victorious, climbing three places in the qualification ranking to joint 18th position alongside the Belgian 400 relay team.
AFN President, Tonobok Okowa, expressed the federation’s determination to obtain the relay tickets, revealing that their attention would now turn to the Lagos Series event scheduled to take place at Yaba Technical College on July 14.
Okowa also confirmed the participation of Ghana and Benin Republic in the Lagos Series, heightening the competition for qualification.
Anticipating the upcoming event, one of the athletes shared their optimism, describing the Lagos Series as a “mission possible.” They emphasized the team’s unwavering commitment to securing qualification in the relay events for Budapest and vowed to give their all during the Lagos Series on July 14.
During the African Region, 2 relay events in Togo, the Nigerian men’s quartet of Dubem Nwachukwu, Nathaniel Ezekiel, Ogazi Samuel, and Chidi Okezie delivered an impressive performance, recording a time of 3:02.91 seconds.
Their achievement elevated them to the 18th position in the qualification ranking and marked the fastest time a Nigerian men’s 4x400m team has achieved since July 2012.
Meanwhile, the women’s 4x400m quartet comprising Imaobong Nse Uko, Patience Okon-George, Queen Osunbor, and Omolara Ogunmakinju ran a time of 3:29.09 seconds, narrowly missing out on the last qualifying spot.
Notably, this was the team’s season’s best performance and the fastest time achieved by a Nigerian women’s 4x400m relay team since the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
As Nigeria sets its sights on the Lagos Series, the athletes are prepared to give their utmost effort in pursuit of the coveted relay qualification for the Budapest 2023 World Championships.
The competition promises to be fierce, with Ghana and the Benin Republic joining the fray, making the event a significant opportunity for Nigerian athletes to showcase their skills and secure their place on the world stage.
