Amusan, Brume, Udodi others set for National trials in Benin City
By Uzor Odigbo
The AFN National Trials in Benin promises to be a thriller as World Champion women’s 100mh Tobi Amusan (12:12) and legions of foreign based athletes are expected to thrill Spectators for the National Championships at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin City.
The championship is for the selection of Athletes for the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary from August 19-27 where Amusa is expected to defend her title she won at the 2021 World Champions held last year in Oregon, USA.
Amusan returned 12.12 secs to set a new world record. She also took part in Friday’s Lausanne leg of the Diamond League where she placed second behind Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn.
It was the second time the Puerto Rican was beating Amusan. She clocked 12.40 seconds, while Amusan’s 12.47, she had clashed with Camacho-Quinn at the continental tour event in Ostra on Tuesday. She will race in Stockholm before coming to Nigeria for the trials.
Other top athletes expected at the trials include Ese Brume world championships silver medallist, sprinter Favour Ofili, 400m Hurdles runner, Nathaniel Ezekiel and Javelin thrower, Nnamdi Prosper. Shot Put thrower, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, Triple jumper Ruth Usoro, Chioma Onyekwere, Godson Brume, Udodi Onwuzurike.
Speaking on the upcoming event Chairman of the Organising committee set up by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Yusuf Alli stated that the state is ready to stage the best championship ever
“I am sure the athletes will be excited to be here a second time because last year, they got the best treatment and hospitality from the people.
“Again, the luck of visiting our land followed Team Nigeria to Oregon, where Tobi Amusan broke the World record and won a gold medal for our country. Ese Brume also got a silver medal. It was the best performance ever for Nigeria in the history of the World championships.
“We are ready for this year’s national trials, and I can tell you that the athletes will enjoy what we have on the ground for them. Edo is the best sporting State in Nigeria. Our government has invested so much in sports, and the results are what is showing today.”
Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) informed that the first batch of foreign based athletes would arrive in Benin City on Sunday.
Tough Competitions are expected in the following events 100m, 200m, 400hm, 110mh men and women.
More importantly, spectators would be excited to watch the 100/200m race where some of the foreign based AthIetes such as Godson Brume, Udodi Onwuzurike, Asher, Favour Ofili, Ruth Usoro, Chioma Onyekwere, Nnamdi Prosper etc would be vying spots for the would Championship in Budapest.
Long jump women Competition will showcase Ruth Usoro and Africa women’s Long jump Champion Ese Brume, however, upset in the long jump women may not be on the card as Brume had done enough in the circuit this year to establish and book a spot in the team to Budapest.
The relays will also feature among the events on the bill, 4×100m 4×400m, 4×400m medley are all on display waiting for possible qualifiers . It’s however expected that Nigeria AthIetes would take advantage to the Benin trials to qualify, than traveling to Togo’s Region 2 Championship to qualify.
