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Who are Nigeria's medal hopefuls, contenders, and potential finalists in athletics? Here's a detailed preview in our countdown to Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
With less than 10 days before the start of athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic games, Tobi Amusan will lead a number of Nigerian athletes as medal hopefuls in athletics.
The Nigerian contingent is a formidable youthful team, and they're scheduled to compete in nine respective events in the men's and women's categories, including the mixed 4x400m.
While the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) opened the team camp in Germany, some of these athletes have been fine-tuning their preparations in the USA and Europe to have a memorable outing, and their performances have given a glimpse of what to expect in Paris.
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Based on realistic measures of world ranking and individual abilities to cause some upsets, here are Nigeria's medal hopefuls and contenders in athletics at Paris 2024.
Ese Brume (women's long jump)
Despite having a rollercoaster season that has seen her not hit the top marks of being a certified medal contender, Ese Brume's consistency of being a championship performer and delivering when it matters most rates her highly on this list.
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She was Nigeria's sole track and field medallist at Tokyo 2021 with a bronze medal, and she can't be written off to make the same impact in Paris.
With successive African Games and African championships titles this season, Brume will have to produce her best performance this year and perhaps above the 7.00m mark to be guaranteed of making history as Nigeria's first two-time individual Olympic gold medallist.
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19:48 - 23.06.2024
African Championships: Ese Brume wins Nigeria's third GOLD as 400m sensations Ogazi and Joseph cop bronze medals
Jump queen Ese Brume led Team Nigeria's scoop of medals on Day 3 at the African Championships.
Ruth Usoro and Prestina Ochonogor (women's long jump contenders)
Usoro is Nigeria's highest-ranked jumper this season with a distance of 6.87m and can be a major bet for the final to compete for a medal.
While new discovery Ochonogor is basking in her breakout season which sees her with an African Games bronze medal and a lifetime best of 6.79m.
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With both making their Olympic debut, they will surely be gunning to have a brilliant outing of making the final, and from there, anything can happen.
Mixed 4x400m relay team
In the relays, Nigeria qualified in four out of five events, which are: women's and men's 4x100m, men's 4x400m, and mixed 4x400m.
The mixed 4x400m is Nigeria's best chance of medalling in the relays as the representatives have produced impressive performances this season and a team capable of challenging for a medal.
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Spearheaded by veterans Chidi Okezie and Patience George, plus NCAA standouts Samuel Ogazi and Ella Onojuvwevwo, as well as other talented athletes from the pool, they're capable of improving on their African Record of 3:12.87 and can therefore earn a medal.
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19:06 - 07.07.2024
Samuel Ogazi: Nigerian teenage sensation impresses with third position at first professional race in Netherlands
Samuel Ogazi produced another top three performance in his first professional race at the FBK Hangelo Games in the Netherlands.
Tobi Amusan (women's 100mH)
As the World Record (WR) and a former world champion still on top of her game, Amusan won't be settling for another fourth position, so will give everything to get a medal.
Interestingly, with the women's 100mH event highly ranked as one of the most competitive with no guaranteed podium finishers, it'll perhaps be Amusan's biggest career challenge to date.
Her rivals such as defending Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, world champion Danielle Williams, European champion Cindy Samba-Mayela, and new talents Grace Stark, Ackera Nugent, and Masai Russell are also top on the list as potential medallists.
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05:56 - 20.07.2024
Tobi Amusan tastes defeat to US College Champion Grace Stark in pre-Paris Olympics race in Florida
Paris-medal hopeful Tobi Amusan lost in a stacked pre-Olympic race to US College Champion Grace Stark at the Mike Holloway Pro Classic in Florida.
Notwithstanding, the Nigerian hurdling queen is capable of showing her mental strength again, and if successful will make her Nigeria's second Olympic medallist in the event since Glory Alozie's silver medal at Sydney 2000.
Contenders and potential finalists
Kanyinsola Ajayi (Men's 100m): With a breakout year, he has improved drastically, highlighted by winning the Nigerian title.
He has been undefeated in his recent races and even clocked a new lifetime best of 10.00s.
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Considering his brilliant improvements and confidence in taking on the big names, Ajayi can be the underdog to make the final like Enoch Adegoke did at Tokyo 2021 Olympics.
Favour Ofili (Women's 100m and 200m): Another name Nigerians should watchout for with huge prospects of being a potential finalist.
The speed sensation already showed what she's capable of achieving in her last pre-Olympic race at the Mike Holloway pro classic in Florida, where she scooped sprint double wins, and with such confidence heading to Paris, there's no stopping the youngster in her quest for Olympic success.
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06:44 - 20.07.2024
Favour Ofili scoops sprint double wins in spectacular build-up for Paris 2024 Olympics
Nigeria's star speedster Favour Ofili continued her winning form in Florida to strengthen her readiness for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Women's 4x100m and Men's 4x400m: With the right leg selections, anything is possible in these events.
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi (Men's Shot Put): His consistency this season can berth him a final spot, which is most likely possible.
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If these predictions come to fruition, Team Nigeria's athletics outing can be termed successful at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
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Meanwhile, Maroney McKayla net worth is a testament to her incredible journey from Olympic gymnast to multi-industry star.
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