African Games: Usoro, Enekwechi, and mixed 4x400m gold medals highlights outstanding Day 2 for Nigeria in athletics

African Games: Usoro, Enekwechi, and mixed 4x400m gold medals highlights outstanding Day 2 for Nigeria in athletics

Funmilayo Fameso 18:25 - 20.03.2024

Day 2 recap of Nigerian athletes at the African Games in Ghana.

Team Nigeria continued their impressive run of form on Day 2 of athletics at the African Games, highlighted by Ruth Usoro, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, and the mixed 4x400m relay gold medals.

Enekwechi won Nigeria's first gold medal in Ghana by successfully defending his Shot Put title, throwing a distance of 21.06m to remain undefeated in the continent since 2018.

Chukwuebuka Enekwechi successfully defended his African Games Shot Put title

Usoro claimed her first senior African title with her last jump, soaring to a distance of 13.80m, ensuring the winning tradition of Nigeria in the event after her compatriot Grace Anigbata did the same at Rabat 2019.

Ruth Usoro claimed her first African Games title in the triple jump

The day's highlight came from the mixed 4x400m relay team comprising Emmanuel Ojeli, Patience George, Sikiru Adeyemi, and Omolara Ogunmakinju.

Trailing Botswana with 30m to go, Ogunmakinju did the unbelievable by chasing down her opponent and overtaking the Botswana anchor leg runner as she stopped the clock in a new African Record of 3:13.26. Her feat can arguably be described as one of the greatest relay races in history.

Itsekiri and Olajide storm to 100m medals for glorious sprint outing for Nigeria

The men and women's 100m final proved to be another brilliant outing for Nigeria as Usheoritse Itsekiri and Olayinka Olajide claimed silver and bronze medals respectively.

Itsekiri ran an astonishing race to finish in 10.23s (-0.8), thus upgrading his bronze from Rabat 2019. Emmanuel Eseme won Cameroon's first-ever gold medal in the event to emerge champion in 10.14s, while Nigeria's second representative, Consider Ekanem settled for the fourth position in 10.42s.

Usheoritse Itsekiri won Nigeria a silver medal in the men's 100m final

Meanwhile, Olajide competing in her first ever international outing donning the green and white colours, made it a memorable one with a rewarding bronze medal in 11.55s. It's Nigeria's first medal in the event since Maputo 2011.

Gambia's Gina Bass made history by becoming her country's first champion in the women's 100m at the African Games with a convincing 11.36s, finishing ahead of Liberia's Maia Alyse McCoy in 11.49s.

Tags: