Ace sprinter leads Nigeria’s 23-man team to World Championship

Steve Dede 14:30 - 05 August 2015

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria have selected a 23-man team to represent Nigeria in China

Nigerian queen of the tracks Blessing Okagbare is leading the Nigeria's 23-man list to the IAAF World Championship.

The Championship will be taking off on Saturday, August 22 in Beijing, China.

Olympic and World Championships medalist, Okagbare has been listed to feature in 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay events.

She is however not listed for the long jump event which she won a bronze medal at for Nigeria at the 2008 Olympics at this venue in Beijing where the championship will be taking place.

Gloria Asumnu, Stephanie Kalu, Deborah Odeyemi, Cecilia Francis and Ngozi Onwumere were listed in the 100m singles and relay.

Patience Okon, Regina George, Tosin Adeloye, Margaret Etim, Funke Oladoye and Ruth Ossai will represent Nigeria in the 400m and 4x400m events.

18 women in general are on the list which also includes Amaka Ogoegbunam (400m Hurdles), Lindsay Weyimi Lindsey (100m Hurdles), Chinwe Okoro (Discus) and Uhunoma Naomi Osazuwa (Hepthatlon).

The list which was signed by the Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama also has Ese Brumeh in the long jump category, Doreen Amata in high jump.

The five male athletes listed are Ogho-Oghene Egwero (100m), Peter Tega Odele (200m), Tyron Atkins (110m Hurdles), Miles Ukaoma (400m Hurdles) and Tosin Oke (triple jump).

The Team Nigeria coaches include former American Olympic sprint gold medalist, Maurice Greene,Gabriel Okon, Yusuf Alli and Solomon Aliyu.

Okagbare has set his eyes on new records in the championship.

She holds the Women's 100 metres Commonwealth Games record for the fastest time at 10.85 seconds and also holds the African record holder with 10.79.

In an interview withNike.com for #AfricaSoFast campaign the Delta State born printer has set her sights firmly breaking a new record.

"I’d like to break 10.7 seconds for the 100 and 22.8 seconds for the 200, and I want to jump further than 7.3 meters in the long jump," the Olympic and World Championships medalist said.

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