Okagbare reclaims 100m title at National Trials

Blessing Okagbare reclaimed her 100m women national title before a packed crowd at the Sapele Stadium, Delta State, during the All Nigeria Athletics Championships, making it her seventh title.

The African queen of the tracks powered home in 11.02secs, her Season’s Best this year ahead of Peace Uko and defending champion, Gloria Asumnu who finished second and third in 11.37secs and 11.38secs respectively. She will also be competing in the 200m on Friday, the final day of the trials.

In some of the other events competed for on the opening day of the trials, Antwon Hicks broke and set a new record in the 110m hurdles with a time of 13.27secs as Lindsey Weyinme defended her 110m hurdles winning in 13.16sces.

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Hicks with his time qualified for the Olympic Games and said he would have done better if not for the heat around the stadium environment while also saying that Zika, the new virus that causes malaria in Brazil would not deter him from attending his first Olympics. The record of 13.4secs was previously held by William Erese.

It was a couple-affair in the 5000m as Emmanuel Gyan and his wife, Deborah Pam won the men and women’s event.

The men’s 100m semifinal on Friday (today) will be keenly contested between reigning champion, Seye Ogunlewe, former
champion, Ogho-Oghene Egwero and former junior international, Divine Oduduru.

The trio won their heat with impressive times while Monzavous Edwards will also be looking forward to becoming the
champion as he also won his heat.

Egwero and Oduduru returned the best time in the heat, winning Heat One and Two with same time of 10.23secs while Edwards and Ogunlewe won Heat Three and Four with time of 10.39secs and 10.25secs respectively.

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