All-Nigeria Athletics Championships: Asunmu claims first national title

The U.S.-based sprinter, Gloria Asunmu, has emerged winner of the 100m Women’s event at the ongoing All-Nigeria Athletics Championships taking place in Warri, Delta State.

Asunmu secured her first national title having posted a time of 11.42secs to finish ahead of the duo of Stephanie Kalu and Deborah Odeyemi who finished second and third respectively with a time of 11.47secs and 11.66secs.

Usually buried in the shadows of Blessing Okagbare, who is absent at the Warri trials, Asunmu seized the moment to put her name amongst top names like Mary Onyali, Mercy Nku who at different times have won the Blue Ribbon event.

The trials will help select Nigeria’s team to the World Championships in Beijing and the All-Africa Games.

Though the Women’s 100m event was arguably the top event of the first day of competition in Warri, winners also emerged in other events concluded on Thursday.

Friday Osayande won the men’s javelin with his 68.33m throw, and Kure Samuel came 2nd with 66.32m while Kenechukwu Ezeofor placed 3rd throwing 65.36m.

In the women’s Long Jump event, Chinazom Amadi followed up her victory in the CAA Grand Prix held last weekend with another wining leap of 6.24m ahead of Ese Brume (6.14m) while 17yr old Ruth Usoro from Lagos came third. (6.07m).

In the men’s triple jump, Tosin Oke maintained his dominance as his new seasons’ best jump of 16.98m was good enough for first place while Olamide Olamigoke took the silver with his leap of 16.80m.

Nwoye Augustine won the men’s discus title with a throw of 51.21m while Kenechukwu Ezeofor (48.49m) & Samuel Olatunji (46.41m) settled for 2nd & 3rd places with their efforts.

Also on Thursday, Lindsay Wenyimi won the 100m hurdles title in 13.40s, with Tobi Amusan & Grace Ayemoba in 2nd & 3rd with 13.57s & 13.68s

Tyron Akins reclaimed the 110m hurdle title with his times of 13.68s, while the duo of Alex Al-Ameen & Martins Ogierakhi came in 2nd & 3rd with 14.00 & 14.13s respectively.

With a time of 2:07.50secs, Abike Egbeniyi emerged tops in women’s 800m Final while Abiye David came second with 2:09.10 and Sirika Nwoke third in 2:10.35.

Men’s 800m Final was won by Soudi Hamadjam in 1:50.06s. Action will continue on Friday in Warri with the 100m men final and 200m events being he peak of the bunch.