BY RAYMOND NWADUBA
Nigeria once again asserted her authority as a powerhouse in athletics in Africa, as the Nigerian contingent to this year’s 15th Open African Masters Athletics Championship which was held in Tunisia, emerged second overall.
The 5-day championship had the Nigerian team leading on the medals table from the start but marginally got toppled on the last day by eventual winners, Tunisia who were also the hosts.
The Nigerian team finished with 18 gold, 5 silver and 2 bronze medals to place second with 25 countries in attendance that participated in this year’s edition.
Impressive Christian Aiyegbeni led the charge for the Nigerian team, as he amassed 4 gold and 1 silver medal.
Christian Aiyegbeni
-Discus M45 Gold
-Hammer M45 Gold
-Pole Vault M45 Gold
-Shot put M45 Gold
-Javelin M45 Silver
Others were Dr Safiya Yahaya-Kongoila with 2 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medal.
Dr Safiya Yahaya-Kongoila
-Discus W45 *Gold*
-Hammer W45 Gold
-200m W45 Silver
-Triple jump W45 Silver
-Long Jump W45 Bronze
Irene Anetor proved too hot to handle for her competitions as she won gold in all three events she participated in to prove her mettle.
Irene Anetor
-100M W50 Gold
-200m W50 Gold
-800M W50 Gold
Adeyoju Adebusuyi claimed 2 gold and 1 silver for Team Nigeria.
Adeyoju Adebusuyi
-400m M45 *Gold*
-800m M45 *Gold*
-200m M45 *Silver*
Folake Okache won 2 gold medals same as Ubong Usoro who also won 2 gold medals.
Folake Okache
-100m W45 *Gold*
-80mH W45 *Gold*
Ubong Usoro
-100m M50 *Gold*
-200m M50 *Gold*
Mariam Adedun, who won Nigeria’s first medal returned with 1 gold and 1 bronze medal.
Mariam Adedun
-200m W45 *Gold*
-Shotput W45. *Bronze*
Michael Ofili won 1 gold medal while Dele Ige had 1 silver.
Michael Ofili
-Javelin M45 *Gold*
Dele Ige
-Triple jump M45 *Silver*
In the team event, Nigeria’s quartet
Mariam Adedun,
Irene Anetor,
Dr Safiya Yahaya-Kongoila and
Folake Okache won gold in the Women 4X100m.
The Masters Athletics Championship is open to men and women from age 35 and above.
