Team Nigeria lived up to expectations at the Kasarani Stadium in Kenya, yesterday, as the nation’s athletes won two gold and one bronze medal to join other leading countries on the medals table.
Imaobong Nse Uko opened the floodgate with a superlative race in the 400m final to claim gold in 51.55 seconds, thereby setting a new personal best. Poland’s Kornelle Lesiewicz was second in 51.97 seconds, and Kenya’s Syvia Chelangat came third in 52.23 seconds.
United States (U.S.)-based Favour Ofili rescued a bronze medal in the women’s 200m in a time of 22.23 seconds, losing the gold to Namibia’s Christine Mboma (21.84 seconds) and Namibia’s Beatrice Masilingi silver (22.18 seconds) as all the three athletes set new personal best.
Nigeria’s Udodi Chudi Nwazurike claimed another gold for the country in the 200 metres in a time of 20.21 seconds to set a new championship record. Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo was second in 20.38 seconds, and South Africa’s Sinessipho Dambile settled for bronze in 20.48 seconds.
Earlier, Prosper Oghenemine Ekporore could not make it to the medals zone as he placed ninth in the 110m hurdles.
Nigeria also finished in fourth and eighth position in the men’s high jump final.
Team Nigeria now has three gold and one bronze medal at Nairobi 2021 World U20 Championship, having won the gold in 4x400m mixed relay event three days ago.
THEGUARDIAN
