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Imaobong Uko rose to the occasion when it mattered most by racing to Baylor University and Nigerian history books at the BIG 12 Indoor Championships.
Imaobong Uko proved once again why she can never be written off for a brilliant performance when it matters most, racing to a new massive PB of 52.19s to finish third in the women's 400m final at the BIG 12 Championships.
She finished behind the University of Texas Rhasidat Adeleke, who clocked a then collegiate record of 50.33s. However, her time is second-fastest in Baylor's all-time list and sixth-fastest in Nigerian indoor history.
Uko, before coming to the championships had an SB of 53.67s set on her season's debut last month, and many doubted if she can produce the same speed and power that saw her win the 2021 World U20 title in Nairobi.
Also, considering Louisiana State University's Ella Onojuvwevwo clocked a faster time of 52.67s during the season.
But the highly rated 400m runner proved doubters wrong when she lowered her SB to 53.03s in her qualifying heat before storming to this huge lifetime best in the final.
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Her new PB of 52.19s means she's now sixth fastest in Nigeria's history indoors behind Charity Opara's NR of 50.73s, Regina George's (51.05s), Falilat Ogunkoya's (51.25s), Kudirat Akhigbe (51.81s), and Olabisi Afolabi (52.15s).
Uko also helped her school's 4x400m relay squad to a first-place finish, successfully defending their BIG 12 title.
Both Nathaniel and Uko will now look forward to lowering these times at the NCAA Indoor Championships in two weeks' time.
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