Sport  |  Athletics  

Brume, Ofoku lead chase for medals as Ajayi, others battle for 4x400m mixed relay gold

By Gowon Akpodonor, Nairobi, Kenya |   18 August 2021   |   3:11 am  

[FILES] Godson Brume ran a joint-fastest time in the men’s 100m heats, finishing a clear winner in 10.46s, over Folawiyo Olaoye who was 2nd in 10.74s. Paul Ejiro Abohwo finished 3rd in the race with a time of 10.89s. Photo/MakingofChamps/Youtube

Athletes from over 200 countries have arrived in Nairobi for the championship, which begins today at the Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi, and will run till August 22.
 
Team Nigeria will begin its chase for medals this morning with the duo of Godson Brume and Ashe Oghenetejiri Favour joining the contest for qualification tickets in the men’s 100m event.
 
In the women’s 100m event, Team Nigeria’s duo of Tima Godbless and Ofoku Praise will contest for qualification to the next round. 
 
Also today, U.S.-based Nigerian junior sprinter, Dubem Amena, and Bamidele Ajayi, will compete in the 400m heat event for men, just as Oke Opeyemi and Imaobong Nse Uko will race for qualification tickets in the women’s category.
 
However, the main attraction of today’s opening ceremony will be the final of the 4x400m mixed relay event. Nigeria is fielding a team made up of Bamidele Ajayi, Johnson Chidira (men) Oke Opeyemi, and Ofili Favour (women) in the race.

Coach Seigha Porbeni told The Guardian yesterday that he expects the Nigerians to scale through the heat to the final, adding, ‘‘anything can happen in the final.’’
 
AFN President, Tonobok Okowa, said yesterday that the athletes had been given the motivation they need to make Nigerians proud in Nairobi.
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