In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Nigerian sprinters Ushoritse Itshekiri and Seye Ogunlewe fell short in their bid for the 100m semifinal at the World Championships on Saturday.
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Amidst fierce competition, Ogunlewe secured the fifth position in his semifinal race, clocking in at 10.12 seconds, while Itshekiri’s valiant effort landed him in the eighth spot with a time of 10.19 seconds.
AFN board member and Performance Director, Victor Okorie, voiced concerns shortly after the race, hinting at potential gaps in the athletes’ preparation. Okorie emphasized the need for Nigeria to adopt strategies employed by successful track and field nations like Jamaica, which dedicated three weeks in Belgium and an additional 10 days in Budapest for pre-championship training.
He advocated for governmental support to bolster the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) in delivering optimal preparation for its athletes.
Amidst the shadows of disappointment, a glimmer of hope remains. Okorie noted that while challenges persist, Nigeria could glean positives from the competition.
He rallied behind the athletes, highlighting the notion that all prospects for a coveted medal were not extinguished.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s historical achievements, the nation’s most notable success in the 100m discipline was achieved by Olusoji Fasuba in 2007. As the echoes of past triumphs resonate, the urgency to foster comprehensive preparation strategies becomes even more apparent.
