Day 1 review of Nigerian track athletes at the NCAA Championships.
Nigerian athletes gave impressive displays on Day 1 of the NCAA Championships as all five that competed qualified for the final in their various events.
In the men's 100m, the trio of Kanyinsola Ajayi, Godson Brume, and Favour Ashe successfully made it through, thus making it the second consecutive year Nigeria will have three representatives in the final.
Ajayi stunned his senior compatriot Ashe to win their qualifying heat in an impressive 10.09s, as the latter finished third in 10.13s but still qualified by grabbing one of the fastest non-automatic spots.
The University of Auburn speedsters will be gunning for better performances in the final, where they'll aim to claim two of the top three spots and regain the glory days of their school.
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Who will be the next NCAA Champion from Nigeria? Meet the contenders and former winners since 2010
A total of 23 Nigerian athletes (11 men and 12 women) qualified for the best in collegiate track and field championship this year. While all can't become champions, here's a look at the top contenders capable of claiming the NCAA title in their various events.
Also, Louisiana State University's standout Brume automatically qualified with a second-place finish in 10.23s behind University of South Florida's Saminu Abdul-Rasheed, who clocked 10.14s.
Despite a poor start, the Nigerian finished hard to close down the rest of the field and punch a spot for back-to-back finals.
06:52 - 06.06.2024
2024 NCAA Championships: History beckons for Nigeria as three speed sensations storm to 100m final
The trio of Kanyinsola Ajayi, Godson Brume, and Favour Ashe have successfully qualified for the 100m final at the NCAA Championships and will be gunning to make Nigerian history.
Last year, he clocked a Personal Best (PB) of 9.90s to settle for the second position and will have his eyes set on the top finish this time.
Men's 400m
Teen sensation Samuel Ogazi continued with his brilliant form this season by conveniently storming to the 400m final in 45.14s to win his qualifying heat.
The University of Alabama freshman is one of the contenders for the title, so will be aiming to upset top favourite Christopher Morales Williams who had the fastest qualifying time of 44.96s.
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Samuel Ogazi: Nigerian teenager breaks age-18 WORLD RECORD to become faster than Usain Bolt
Nigeria's speed sensation Samuel Ogazi has become the fastest teenager in history for his age category, thus he is faster than Usain Bolt in the 400m event.
Men's 400m Hurdles
As the NCAA leader in this event with a massive Personal Best (PB) of 48.00s, Ezekiel Nathaniel lived up to expectations as he blazed to the final in 48.93s, defeating two-time champion Sean Burrel.
The Baylor University junior is the favourite for the top position in the final, and if he successfully does this will see him become Nigeria's first homegrown athlete to achieve this feat.
Last year, Nathaniel finished in third, an upgrade from fourth position in his first season. The 20-year-old will not only be gunning to be crowned the NCAA Champion but aiming for a sub-48s mark.