June 22, (THEWILL) – Nigeria made a strong start at the 2024 Africa Senior Athletics Championships in Douala, Cameroon, claiming two gold medals on the opening day. Chukwebuka Enekwechi triumphed in the men’s shot put with a throw of 21.20m, whilst Nigeria dominated the women’s discus throw event.
The Nigerian team’s success continued in the 100m heats, with Rosemary Chukwuma and Favour Ofili advancing in the women’s competition. Godson Brume, Ushoritse Itshekiri, and Kanyinsola Ajayi all progressed to the men’s 100m semifinal. In the 400m heat, Chidi Okezie also advanced comfortably.
However, the championships were not without setbacks for Nigeria. World record holder in the women’s 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan, withdrew due to illness. Amusan had arrived in Douala on Thursday with no apparent health issues but fell ill overnight. The decision to withdraw her from the event was made on medical advice, preventing her from attempting a hat-trick of titles in the event.
The Nigerian sprinters are now poised to make history in the upcoming finals. The men’s team aims to secure a podium finish for the first time since Olusoji Fasuba’s victory in 2008, whilst the women’s team seeks their first gold in the 100m event since Blessing Okagbare’s record-breaking run in 2014.
As the championships progress, Nigeria’s athletes continue to demonstrate their competitive edge on the continental stage. Their early success sets a promising tone for the rest of the competition, with more medals potentially on the horizon for the Nigerian contingent.
About the Author
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.
