As events gradually wind down at the National Athletics Trails in the ancient city of Benin, men are now being separated from the boys.
One who distinguished herself is Nigeria’s fast rising 100m sprinter, Grace Nwokocha.
The newly crowned Champions of the track, Grace Nwokocha became Nigeria’s fastest female on the track right there in Benin as she comfortably beat one of the favourite, Rosemary Chukwuma to the gold medal by clocking a time of 11.02 seconds.
Speaking at the trials just after her triumph, Nwokocha said her victory was nothing less than hard work. “I feel great, before I left for the United States, I have been working so hard. My coaches, coach George and my school coach, coach Ross did very good job on me as an athlete.
When asked about the aspects she had to improve on in her hardworking plight, she recounts how she worked on her start as that is one of the most important parts in a race.” I have been working on my start so I can run faster. I just need to keep working hard and happily too.
The Newly-crowned women’s 100m Champion is glad that her hard work has paid off, and she’s looking forward to running a better time and seeing new records ahead of this year’s major competitions, the World Championships and Commonwealth Games coming up later this year.
