Okagbare Delivers Gold for Team Nigeria, Sets New Record

  Multi-talented Blessing Okagbare won the women’s 100m in a Commonwealth Games record of 10.85 from Jamaican duo Veronica Campbell-Brown and Kerron Stewart, who took silver and bronze in 11.03 and 11.07 seconds respectively. Nigerian Okagbare won the long jump silver and 200m bronze at last year’s IAAF World Championships. When asked what her best event is, she said: “I would say the 200m. The 200m is a little easier for me to digest than the 100m. The 100m is so fast and whatever mistake you make it is so difficult to make up for it. I am so excited right now! A new season’s best and win.” “I’m happy I was able to put on a show. I executed it and stayed patient like my coach said I should and after 70 metres it just felt easy! I still have the 200m and the long jump and I’m looking forward to both of those events now.” “Everything has been based on the Commonwealth Games for me this year,” she added. “It’s my first Commonwealth Games. I want to enjoy it, I want to have fun, I want to cheer everyone up, but at the same time I want to win a gold medal.” And that she did with swift flamboyance. Okagbare will be looking to sweep more medals at the long jump and 200m events.