Nigerians have been putting up pretty impressive performances these past couple of weeks both the home based athletes and those in diaspora.
The likes of Udodi Onwuzurike,Ashe Favour, Godson Brume, Favour Ofili and Samuel Ogazi has been pushing the boundaries and dropping scintillating performances at various meets this season.
Udodi was in a class of his own at the West Regionals going sub 10s for the first time in his career running a new lifetime best of 9.92s by and he’d earlier ran a personal best of 19.91s a week ago.
His 9.92s ranks him joint 3rd fastest man in Nigerian history sharing the position with Seun Ogunkoya.
He took the win beating, Terrance Jones the previous NCAA leader in the process.
Both times were enough to qualify him for the world championship later this summer.
Godson Brume and Favor Ashe also displayed fine form at the regionals vying to qualify for the NCAA championships as both went under 10s though windy.
Godson Brume clocked a 9.94s(2.7m/s) to take the win beating Sterling Warner Savage (10.07s) and fellow countryman Alaba Akintola (10.08s).
Favour Ashe clocked a 9.92s(4.4m/s) to take the win beating Brandon Hickling (9.96) and Robert Gregory (9.97s).
All three Nigerians were amongst the top 12 and as thus gained qualifications to the NCAA championships.
At the West Regionals, Imaobang Nse Uko sadly missed out on a place to the NCAA champs after clocking 51.51s finishing 5th in the finals.
Bashiru Abdullahi qualified for his second NCAA championships as he surged to a fast 13.61s in the men’s 110mh.
Karlington Anungba finished 5th in the same heat as Udodi Onwuzurike clocking a 10.07s which was enough to see him through to the Championships.
Rosemary Chukwuma raced to an impressive season’s best time of 11.09s finishing second behind Kennedy Blackmon (10.92s)
Meanwhile,at the East Regionals, Dubem Amene clocked a fast 46.61s in the one lap event booking his spot to the Championships.
Sadly,both Stephen Eloji and Ekporere Prosper both exited the regionals in the second round of the competition after clocking 13.78w and 13.84w respectively.
Favour Ofili made it to another NCAA championships after clocking 22.77s to finish 3rd behind Jacious Sears (22.41s) and Kynnedy Flannel(22.74s).
Ella Onojuvwvewo got eliminated in the first round clocking a time of 53.70s to finish 4th in her heat.
Abasiono Akpan failed to qualify for the Championships ranking 17th overall after clocking a 58.63s.
National record holder Ezekiel Nathaniel coasted through clocking a 49.04s in the men’s high hurdles.
His teammate, Nnamdi Chinecherem clocked haurled to a mark of 74.30m to punch his ticket.
Onaara Obamuwagen finished 5th in the women’s triple jump landing a mark of 13.42m earning her spot to the Championships.
Adaobi Tabugbo didn’t make the cut as well despite running a PB in the women’s 100m hurdles clocking 13.29s ranking 17th overall.
Raphael Egbuchilem clocked a fast national leading time of 45.79s to claim the win in his heat but failed to make it through to the finals ranking 17th overall.
