The future of Nigerian sprinting continues to look promising as 20-year-old Precious Nzeakor delivered a standout performance at the NCAA East Preliminary Rounds on Thursday, setting a new personal and college best in the 100 meters and advancing to the quarterfinals in both the 100m and 200m events.
Nzeakor, who competes for a U.S. college in Texas, clocked 11.24 seconds in the 100m, a lifetime best and the fastest time of her collegiate career so far.
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She also ran 23.35 seconds in the 200m, comfortably qualifying for tomorrow’s quarterfinals in both events.
The Nigerian sprinter’s progress in the highly competitive NCAA system has turned heads, especially back home, where athletics enthusiasts have long been on the lookout for the next big sprinting talent.
Nzeakor’s technical improvement, powerful starts, and consistent finishes have made her a serious contender on the American collegiate scene and a rising hope for Nigeria’s sprinting future.
Speaking after her races, a visibly elated Precious Nzeakor said, “It feels amazing to hit a new PB, especially at this stage. I’ve been working so hard, and it’s great to see it paying off.
I’m grateful to represent my school and my country, and I’m focused on the quarterfinals now.”
Her performance also adds to the growing list of Nigerian athletes thriving abroad, using the NCAA platform to develop into world-class competitors.
With the African Championships and the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on the horizon, her name could soon be in contention for senior national call-ups.
Tomorrow’s quarterfinals offer another opportunity for Nzeakor to solidify her reputation—and potentially etch her name into the NCAA finals lineup.
