August 03, (THEWILL) – Nigerian discus throwers Chioma Onyekwere, Obiageri Amaechi, and Ashley Anumba, failed to qualify for the final round in their Olympic event in Paris. Onyekwere achieved the best result among the trio, placing 21st overall with a throw of 60.78 metres. Anumba and Amaechi finished 29th and 32nd respectively.
American, Valarie Allman, led the qualifying round with a throw of 69.59 metres, reinforcing her position as the favourite to retain her Olympic title. Other notable qualifiers included Croatia’s Sandra Elkasevic, China’s Feng Bin, and the Netherlands’ Jorinde van Klinken. Sweden’s Vanessa Kamga set a national record of 65.14 metres to advance.
French athlete, Melina Robert-Michon, competing in her seventh Olympics, equalled Merlene Ottey’s record for most appearances by a woman in track and field at the Games. The 45-year-old flag bearer for the host nation threw a season-best 63.77 metres to reach the final.
American, Veronica Fraley, narrowly missed qualification, finishing 13th overall. Cuban-born Yaime Perez, who holds the best throw of the year at 73.09 metres, was absent from the competition due to her ineligibility following her defection to the United States two years ago.
The women’s discus throw final is scheduled for Monday, with Allman looking to defend her title against a field of strong contenders. The competition promises to be fierce, with several athletes capable of reaching beyond the 65-metre mark but no Nigerian with be in contention.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
