Nigerian athletes sets new goals

Nigerian queen of the tracks Blessing Okagbare has set his eyes on new records in the upcoming season.

Okagbare 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 with Nike.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.

"I have goals written up and posted around my room. I write them as soon as I wake, when I’m feeling fresh.”

Okagbare grew up in Sapele, Delta State and started playing football at an early age.

As a young athlete she competed in the high, long and triple jumps which earned her a scholarship to university in the United States.

“Growing up I was very skinny and someone told me that I could never do sports because I was too soft and fragile," Okagbare said.

"I didn’t let it get to me. I pushed through and became a jumper. Then, I set a new goal to be a runner.

"It’s all about setting goals and keeping your mind set on those goals. Don’t ever give up on yourself.”

It was in America where Okagbare started running after coaches advised her to pick up sprinting.

“They noticed that I ran faster than most of the runners,” Okagbare recalls.

“They said to me: 'You aren’t a jumper, but a sprinter who can jump.'”