At the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF), Emmanuel Ojeli and Patience Okon-George delivered stunning performances to claim the 400m titles in the men’s and women’s categories respectively. Both athletes demonstrated consistency, speed, and experience across the rounds, affirming their dominance in Nigeria’s one lap event.
Ojeli, representing Rivers State, clocked 46.57s in the heats before improving to 46.06s in the semifinals. In the final, he maintained his composure and stormed to victory in 45.58s, fending off strong competition from Badmus Gafar, Victor Sampson and Sampson Nathaniel. His progression through the rounds showed great race management, peaking right when it mattered most to secure the gold medal.
In the women’s event, veteran sprinter Patience Okon-George once again showed why she remains a force in the 400m. She ran a comfortable 52.55s in the heats, followed by a sharper 52.20s in the semifinals. In the final, she unleashed her full strength to clock 51.60s, a time good enough to fend off the likes of Ella Onojuvwevwo and Chioma Nwachukwu. With this win, Patience not only claimed gold but also reaffirmed her legacy as one of Nigeria’s finest 400m runners.
