The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) National Trials kicked off at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State on Wednesday.
According to the country’s athletics body, the national trials will provide an opportunity for Nigerian athletes to meet the qualification benchmark for various events at the 2023 World Athletics Championships.
World record holder Tobi Amusan, after her Diamond League win in Sweden on Sunday, successfully defended her national crown by winning the women’s 100m hurdles in a time of 12.70 seconds.
She had a minute gap ahead of Faith Osamuyi who settled for second position in 13.90 seconds while Kemi Francis-Peterson finished third in 14.14 seconds.
The victory also secured Amusan’s fourth national title in the women’s 100m hurdles as she shifts her attention to the 2023 World Athletics Championship that starts in Budapest on August 19.
African champion and 2018 Commonwealth Games silver medallist, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi continued his dominance in the men’s shot-put event with a 21.09 metres throw on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Usheoritse Itsekiri emerged as Nigeria’s fastest man with a time of 10.02 seconds in the men’s 100m final.
Itsekiri brushed aside Seye Ogunlewe and Alaba Akintola who completed the podium finish while Favour Ashe finished finished fourth and Enoch Adegoke came seventh.
Blessing Ogundiran led the way in the women’s 100m final with a time of 11.50 seconds, followed closely by Faith Okwose in second place and Ese Brume came third in 11.52 seconds.
