2019 National Long Jump champion, Joseph Edafiadhe has began his collegiate career on a winning note, taking the top spot at the KMS Invitational held in Birmingham Crossplex , Alabama, USA.
The dazzling jumper who left the shores of Nigeria on Jan. 1st to further his studies and also have a better path way in Athletics, leaped a Season’s best of 7.50m to secure the win.
Speaking to Athletic Heat after the race, he said, “It was a great feeling competing in the Indoor for the first time. Moving to the US for me, means more improvements and open doors to come for me by the special grace of God”
Away from Alabama, Ntia-Obong Mercy of Cloud County College was in Kansas doing what she knows best- WINNING! She started the season on a high note two weeks ago, winning the 55m dash at the NJCAA qualifiers in 6.99s. Last weekend at the All-Kansas Meet, she won the 60m and 200m, posting 7.49s and 24.14s.
African Junior Record holder in the 110mh, Bashiru Abdullahi was in 2nd place in the men’s 60mh at the Aggie Invitational, hosted by Texas A&M. He clocked 7.93s which was identical to his winning time two weeks ago at the H-Town SpeedCity Series.
Oritsemeyiwa Ineh was the Male star of the day at Samford Open, where he jumped 7.49m to finish 1st in the men’s Long Jump. If he didn’t slow down before the line, he would have ran faster than 6.79s but that was enough to rank fastest in the Men’s 60m
His teammates, Aniekeme Alphonsus an Joy Abu had the fastest time in the women’s 60m(7.52s) and 200m(25.06s). It was a Personal Best for Abu in the 200m.
Oluwaseun Olamide was at the Oklahoma Baptist Cross country race were she competed in the 3200m finishing 9th overall with 12:38.47s
Drake’s Ajayi Yinka was at the 2021 Cyclone Open where she competed in the 200m (25.20s) and 4x400m (3:59.27s) finishing 2nd in both events. School mate, Victor Peka also competed in the 200m clocking 22.28s.
At the Carolina Challenge, Knowledge Omovoh finished 3rd in the 400m posting a Personal Best of 54.36s. She alongside her teammates won the Women’s 4x400m with 3:36.19s.
Also competing at the Carolina Challenge was National Junior Record Holder in the Shot Put, Isaac Odugbesan of Alabama State University, he won the event with a throw of 18.46m bettering his throw of 18.35m which he threw two weeks at the Vanderbilt Invitational.
At the UCM Invite, Akunna Vivian finished 8th in the Women’s 60mh, clocking 9.38s. She also posted 27.83s in the 200m.
Her teammate, Maria Diamond clocked a PB of 1:24.84s to win the 600yd and also a PB in the Mile event (5:23.34s) for 7th position. Then another win in the 4x400m with 3:56.34s.
Well done to all Nigerian athletes in the US Collegiate circuit!