Team Nigeria women get World Championships qualifying spot as men's team miss out

Nigerian relay teams at the DT/Lagos Athletics Series in Yabatech

Team Nigeria women get World Championships qualifying spot as men's team miss out

Funmilayo Fameso 15:23 - 15.07.2023

Team Nigeria's women's 4x400m team temporarily secured their spot at the World Championships in Budapest, after clocking an SB at the DT/ Lagos Club Athletics Series in Yabatech.

Nigeria's quartet of Omolara Ogunmakinju, Patience Okon George, Ella Onojuvwevwo, and Imaobong Uko ensured the country will currently have another relay spot at the World Championships in Budapest.

The team which was a blend of experience and youth, clocked a Season's Best (SB) of 3:27.60s for victory in the women’s 4x400m relay at the DT/ Lagos Club Athletics Series.

Team Nigeria women's 4x400m temporarily qualify for the World Championships in Budapest
Omolara Ogunmakinju, Ella Onojuvwevwo, Queen Usunobun, and Patience Okon-George, posing with timer after winning their race

Their time was good enough to rank them 14th on the top list, as only the top 16 countries will be headed to Budapest in August.

It was also a massive improvement from the 3:29.09 they ran at the CAA Region II Athletics Championships in Lome, Togo but with the exclusion of Onojuvwevwo and the inclusion of Queen Usunobun.

Ella Onojuvwevwo handing the baton to Imaobong Uko during the race

Meanwhile, the men's quartet of Dubem Nwachukwu, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Samuel Ogazi, and Chidi Okezie sadly missed out as their SB time of 3:02.64 wasn't good enough to make the top 16.

It was a significant improvement from their 3:02.91 in Togo and the fastest time by a Nigerian quartet since 2012. They will take solace in this regard as the future is bright and fast times will come with such improvements.

Samuel Ogazi handing the baton to Chidi Okezie during the race

When confirmed, the women's 4x400m team will join the women's 4x100m and mixed 4x400m as Nigeria's guaranteed relay teams in Budapest.

Tags: