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Godson Brume's success didn't just suddenly spring out, as he has consistently given the signs since the beginning of the season for anyone who cared to notice. His brilliant performances at the SEC Championships is just the beginning of the famous quote 'the underdog has become the top dog'.
Nigeria's pool of male sprinters has been exciting to watch in the past two years. Now with the emergence of Godson Brume this year, there's even more reason to turn this excitement to another level.
Reason being that at the just concluded South Eastern Conference (SEC) championships, Brume became the 100m SEC Champion, storming to a Personal Best (PB) of 10.04s ahead of defending champion Favour Ashe in 10.08s.
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His victory meant Brume caused one of the major upsets of the championship, as the spotlight was on Auburn's Ashe to secure back-to-back titles.
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Ashe came to the championship as the SEC 60m indoor champion and qualified for the 100m final with the fastest overall time of an effortless 10.06s. So many believed him to run faster and retain his title.
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07:57 - 13.05.2023
NCAA SEC Championships: Ashe and Brume dominate respective heats, set for 100m final battle
Favour Ashe and Godson Brume are set for sprint showdown at South Eastern Conference (SEC) Championships.
On the other hand, Brume was a surprise bronze medallist at the indoor championships and won his 100m qualifying heat in 10.18s. He had a perfect start in the final, putting him ahead. Thereon, there was no catching him untill he crossed the finish line, ensuring he won his first college and most significant title to date.
Brume's success didn't just suddenly spring out, as he has consistently given the signs since the beginning of the season for anyone who cared to notice.
Brume's emergence and taking the NCAA by Storm
In 2022, the 19-year-old gained a student-athlete scholarship to study at the Louisiana State University (LSU). However, things didn't go in his favour in his Freshman year, being plagued with injuries and only managing to reduce his PB by 0.01s, from 10.13s to 10.12s.
He started the 2023 season with a bang, breaking his 60m PB in almost every meet, eventually ending the indoor season with a lifetime best of 6.60s from 6.89s in 2021 and a bronze medal at the SEC Indoor Championships.
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Brume started outdoors in even better shape. In his first race, he ran close to his PB with 10.13s. Then he defeated world silver medallist and multiple Olympians at the LSU Alumni Gold, clocking a brilliant 9.97s (2.3), making him the first Nigerian sprinter to run a sub-10s time this season.
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13:14 - 24.04.2023
WEEKEND WRAP Godson Brume stars with sub-10s clocking as Uko, Chukwuma, and Akintola run impressive SBs
Recap of Nigeria's best performers last weekend, with Godson Brume topping the list of performers.
He backed that up with another 10.01s at the LSU Invitational, beating a better sprinter in Erriyon Knighton, accompanied by his outstanding performances at the SEC Championships.
Being undefeated in the 100m this year is an incredible achievement for the youngster. For the first time in his college career, he won the USTFCCCA Athlete of the Week and twice won the SEC Runner of the Week.
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The speedster also helped his 4x100m school relay team to remain unbeaten, anchoring them to record-breaking times. Their win at the SEC Championships smashed the Collegiate Record (CR) when he crossed the finish line in 37.90s.
While the spotlight has been on LSU's poster girl Favour Ofili, Brume has emerged into his own and has giantly become LSU's new speed king, perhaps soon to be in Nigeria.
Brume's new form and positive importance on Nigeria Athletics
Reiterating to the SEC Championships, Brume defeated Ashe - Nigeria's fastest man. In his post-race interview after his victory, Brume had graceful words to say of his homeboy Ashe and affirmed that he wasn't better but just executed.
"I just execute. I won't say I'm better, I just did what my coach asked me to do, stay patient and just enjoy the race."
Both youngsters are still bound to race each other a couple of times this season, meaning there's a booming healthy rivalry, and Nigeria gets to benefit because their performances will improve as they push each other to greatness.
Also, Alaba Akintola and Udodi Onwuzurike have clocked sub-10.10s times this season and doing brilliantly in the 200m.
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These four talents are capable of breaking the sub-10s mark. If it happens, it'll be the most in the country's athletics history in a single year, and the relay squad can challenge for medals at major championships.
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17:34 - 11.05.2023
NCAA Alaba Akintola targets sprint title defense at C-USA Championships
At the C-USA Championships this weekend, Alaba Akintola will target defending his sprint titles to continue his dominance.
With the World Championships in Budapest set to take place in August, these are positives Nigerians can be excited about. But before then, the race and bragging rights on who becomes Nigeria's fastest man for the next year begins.
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01:47 - 28.02.2023
ATHLETICS Nigeria may be losing its position as 'African giant' in the men's 100m
With the recent success of Ferdinand Omanyala and Akani Simbine through the years, this question surfaces - is Nigeria losing its claim to the title of being called 'African giant' in the men's 100m?
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