The men’s 400m semifinals are shaping up to be a thrilling chapter in a growing regional rivalry, as Team Ogun’s Gafari Amanda Badmus and Team Oyo’s Laken Bolagi Oga both advanced in style from their heats on Saturday.
Badmus lit up the track with a breathtaking run of 45.92 seconds — a new personal best and the fastest time recorded across all heats.
His dominant display saw him breeze into the semifinals with a big Q, solidifying his status as one of the top contenders for gold.
“I came in focused, and I trusted my race plan,” said the Ogun sprinter after his performance. “It feels good to hit a new PB, but I’m even more excited for what’s ahead.”
Not to be outdone, Oyo’s Laken Oga showed remarkable composure in a competitive heat, clocking 47.38 seconds to finish second. Though his time didn’t top the charts, it was strong enough to earn him a non-automatic qualification (small q) into the next round — a testament to his consistency and grit.
“I know I have more to give,” Oga said post-race. “Getting through is what matters most right now. The semifinals are a new race.”
As the competition intensifies, the narrative is becoming more than just individual performances — it’s a tale of two emerging forces from the Southwest.
Team Ogun and Team Oyo now have their hopes pinned on their standout quartermilers, who are riding high on confidence heading into the semis.
With Gafari Badmus leading the charge and Laken Oga hungry to close the gap, the semifinals could mark the beginning of a compelling inter-state sprint rivalry that fans will be watching closely
