With the wonderful performances last week at the Nigerian Junior Trials, we have decided to recognize the best four across the Track and Field events.
While we acknowledge the wonderful performances at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics, we also want to celebrate athletes from the National Junior Trials which have done well for themselves.
First time recipient of our Award is Olajide Olayinka who has been impressive all year round.
She has cut her times from 11.98s to 11.50s in the space of six months. Popularly called AJ Gold, she trains with D’Victors Track Club in Ogun state and we are proud to see her run this fast ahead of the World Junior Championships in Kenya later this month.
“I was emotionally satisfied. I feel so fulfilled because my coach had a plan and I was able to carry it out” she said after her race.
Kingsley Unorji was the surprise winner of the men’s 100m at the National Junior Trials, clocking a huge Personal Best of 10.32s ahead of Favour Ashe (10.34s) and Adekalu Fakorede (10.39s)
This improvement is so huge because prior to this race, he had clocked 10.66s at the beginning of the season and he didn’t get back to that form till the Paga/MoC Relays where he clocked 10.69s.
“I didn’t expect the result i got at the trails but i knew I was ready and that was the result of all the preparation I have been doing ahead of the competition….let’s just say things fell in place at the right time” He shared with theathleticheat.com
On his aim ahead of the Championships, he said, “I feel ready going into the championship and come Kenya, am going to run much faster.”
This is the first time Unorji is winning our Award and he had this to say, “I feel delighted because I’ve seen my peers being the athlete of the week and now I’ve joined the crew. I just want to thank God”
Esther Osisike has been impressive all year from Winning Gold in the Hammer at the National Sports Festival to a Silver in the Discus at the All Nigeria Championships, and now securing her place in the World Junior Championships team with a Personal Best of 50.44m to win the Junior title ahead of her teammate, Utitofon James (48.00m).
Osisike wins our Female Field Athlete of the Week for the second time this season after her inugural win at the African Region II Championships in Zaria.
David Aya rounds up our Awardees, with a dazzling Personal Best of 2.16m to win the National Junior Title and also qualify for the World Junior Championships.
Speaking after the competition, he told theathleticheat.com that he was very happy after his first 2.16m wasn’t recognized
“I was very happy hitting the world junior standard because it was not very easy going over a 2.16m me and my coach had to work so I could make the standard although I made the standard weeks back at the delta state local government competition but it was not recognized so I had to put more work so I could make the standard legally all thanks to God and my coach and also from my team for the the support.”
This Award is being sponsored by Yesir Foundation.