17 Nigerian Athletes Qualify for World Junior U-20 Championship in US

By Rosemary Ugiomoh

Nigeria’s athletics scene is buzzing. According to an interim technical report submitted to World Athletics, the National Sports Commission, and Athletics Federation of Nigeria, 17 athletes have met the qualifying standards for the World Junior U-20 Championship in the United States. The report, confirmed by Games Technical Director Enefiok Udo-Obong, reveals that four boys and 13 girls made the cut.

In the 100m sprint, Chibueze Osama (10.42s) and Godswill Sunday (10.44s), both from Delta State, clocked faster times than the qualifying standard of 10.50s. Bright Gift from Akwa Ibom matched the 200m qualifying time of 21.25s, while Oseiwe Salami Ahusimenre of Edo State secured a spot in the 400m hurdles with a time of 51.75s, beating the benchmark of 55s.

The girls’ 100m sprint saw four athletes qualify, including Ejiro Peter (11.58s), Tejiri Ugoh PRAISE (11.76s), Azeez Zainab (11.73s), and Victory Imoisemen Azobudi (11.78s). In the 200m, Ejiro Peter (23.66s), Tejiri Ugoh Praise (23.75s), and Faith Chukwuma (24.02s) outperformed the world standard of 24.35s.

The girls’ 400m category saw five athletes qualify, including Okereke Treasure (52.50s), Jacinter Andrew (53.83s), Siviana Ossai (53.85s), Odot Udo (54.49s), Iyanuoluwa Aderemi (54.95s), and Faith Ezechukwu (55.19s), all beating the standard of 55.20s.

Mary Innocent of Delta State also secured a spot in the 400m hurdles with a time of 59.87s, surpassing the world standard of 1:00.75s.