close
Sunday, August 22, 2021

World Athletics U-20: Nigeria third on medals table after Onwuzurike, Ofili win gold, bronze

Nigeria has so far won gold in 4x400m mixed relay, 400m women, 200m men and bronze medals in javelin men and 200m women.

• August 21, 2021
Udodi Onwuzurike and Favour Ofili
A composite of Udodi Onwuzurike and Favour Ofili used to illustrate the story

In the ongoing World Under-20 Athletics Championships, Nigeria’s Udodi Onwuzurike won gold in the men’s 200 metres while Favour Ofili clinched bronze in the women’s category on Saturday, improving the country’s position.

The two medals increased Nigeria’s tally at the championships in Nairobi to three gold and two bronze with one day of competition remaining.

This shot Nigeria to third on the medals table, behind Kenya (5-1-3) and Finland (3-1-0).

Onwuzurike running in lane 3 coasted home in 20.21 seconds ahead of Letsile Tebogo of Botswana (20.38) and South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile (20.46) who finished with the silver and bronze respectively.

The U.S. Collegiate fastest runner in the 200m proved that his rating was no fluke as he made history to win the race in a personal best time.

Onwuzurike thus erased compatriot Francis Obiekwelu’s long-standing record of being the last Nigerian to have won the event since 1996.

Earlier, Ofili running in lane 5 of the women’s 200m finished with a bronze in 22.23 secs behind the Namibian pair of Christine Mboma (21.84) and Beatrice Masilingi who finished with gold and silver respectively.

Nigeria had by the end of day four of the competition won five medals.

These are, gold in 4x400m mixed relay, 400m women, 200m men and bronze medals in javelin men and 200m women.

The championships which started on Tuesday, with competition beginning on Wednesday, will end on Sunday.

More from Peoples Gazette

Abuja

We need more pedestrian bridges: Kubwa residents

The residents say a pedestrian bridge at Arab junction will minimise the number of accidents and loss of lives.

Chris Ngige and Striking Doctors

NationWide

Striking resident doctors’ rejects new FG-proposed MoU

The doctors said the nationwide strike would continue and that they would proceed with the court case.

Education

15 more abducted students of Bethel Baptist High School regain freedom

Aside from the 15 students released on Sunday, 65 of the abducted students remain in captivity with the bandits.

Education

Rukuba Killings: ASUU decries regular attacks on students, staff of UNIJOS

The statement said the incessant attacks on students and staff had negatively impacted on UNIJOS’ academic calendar.

Isa Pantami

NationWide

Pantami: NIN will help to determine Nigeria’s true population figure

Mr Pantami said the census exercise was fraught with corruption and abuse, while the process involving the NIN was more effective.

Education

Group wants United Nations intervention in Nigeria schools abductions

The group wants the United Nations to launch a rescue plan to help Nigeria put an end to the recurring abductions.