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  Despite the heavy downpour in Lagos State on Sunday, June 20th, 2021, Day 4 saw the final round of events at the National Olympic trials held at Yaba Tech. Athletes tried to defy the odds under harsh conditions.
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The Nigerian 4x100m relay men’s team (Enoch Adegoke, Usheoritse Itsekiri, Fakorede Adekalu and Godson Brume) won their race just as the Blessing Okagbare led women’s 4x100m relay team (Rosemary Chukwuma, Favour Ofili, and Grace Nwokocha). However, the Nigerian women’s relay team will have to wait until no African country better their 42.9 seconds this week, in other to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The Nigerian women’s 4x400m relay team (Nse Uko, Patience Okon-George, Favour Ofili and Knowledge Omovoh) were outstanding with a Season’s Best of 3:31.27 to emerge winners of the event. Despite their impressive outing, Nigeria is still outside the qualification Top List (placed 17th). Also, the men’s 4x400m relay team (Samson Nathaniel, Emmanuel Ojeli, Adeyemi Sikiru and Chidi Okezie) also ran a Season’s Best of 3:05.56 to see off a stubborn Zambian side to emerge winners of the event. For the men’s 1500m title, Soudi Hamadjam had the day with a time of 3:56.73, beating David Lakus in second place (4:3.10), and Augustine Azuike(4:03.14). Chidi Okezie was the champion in the men’s 400m final with a time of 46.18 seconds. In the women’s 400m Final A, Patience Okon-George raced to her 5th National Title in 52.24 seconds, while Knowledge Omovoh finished second in 52.71 seconds, and Imaobong Nse Uko placed third in 52.84 seconds. Grace Nwokocha lived up to her reputation in the 200m final, racing to an easy 22.87 seconds to claim the 200m National title, relegating Tima Godbless to second place. Jerry Jakpa claimed the men’s 200m National title in a time of 20.80 seconds, beating his club mate, Gafaru Audu who finished second. In the final B of the women’s 400m race, Praise Idamadudu bagged the win in 54.43s, Kemi Francis placed 2nd in 54.46s, while Mercy Umoibang finished third in 54.51s. Timothy Emoghene was impressive in the men’s 400m Hurdles final, clinching the title in a new Personal Best of 49.67 seconds, to see off competition from Rilwan Alowonle in second place. In the women’s 400m Hurdles final, Abasiono Akpan emerged champion in a new Personal Best of 57.47s. Kemi Francis finished second in a Personal Best of 58.15 seconds, as Sarah Ochigbo’s 59.21 seconds, landed her in third place.
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Mike Edwards is Nigeria’s new High Jump champion. Edwards jumped a mark of 2.20m to win his first National title and beat his strong opponent, Best Erhire. Esther Isa thrilled fans in the women’s High Jump event after hitting a lifetime best of 1.88m. Isa achieved this new height in three attempts to win the National title. Sade Olatoye who is competing in Nigeria for the first time in her career, threw a mark of 17.52m to win the Women’s Shot Put event and gained her 1st National title. Annabel Orobosa finished 2nd after throwing a Personal Best of 17.17m, and Hannah Kemele threw 15.08m to finish 3rd. Nigeria’s Shot Put king, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi claimed his second National title after throwing a mark of 21.47m to emerge champion in the men’s Shot Put category. Dotun Ogundeji threw 19.68m to finish second, while Eke Kalu settled for third place with a mark of 17.16m. Pius Nzube won the men’s Triple Jump title after leaping a mark of 15.92m, beating Blessing Oluwayemi (15.75m) to second place, and Monday Godwin (15.67m) to third place. Annette Echikunwoke did not fail to meet the expectations of the officials who had to set up a barricaded net in the Hammer throw for her. She threw a massive 72.07m to emerge National champion, seeing off competition from Sade Olatoye in second place (67.42m), and Rashidat Quadri in third place (37.80m). Football action continued in the Nigeria Professional Football League over the weekend as Akwa United moved four points clear at the top of the league table with a 2-0 win over Adamawa. Nassarawa United settled for second place at the league table after a 0-0 draw against Enyimba, while Kano Pillars now sit third after suffering a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Jigawa Golden Stars.

See Full NPFL Results Below:

Akwa United 2-0 Adamawa United Enyimba 0-0 Nasarawa United Jigawa Golden Stars 1-0 Kano Pillars Rivers United 1-0 Katsina United Dakkada 1-1 Enugu Rangers Plateau United 2-0 Warri Wolves Ifeanyi Ubah 2-1 Heartland Sunshine Stars 2-1 Abia Warrior Lobi Stars 2-0 Kwara United Sources:  Making of Champs Complete Sports Featured Image Source: Making OF Champions
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This article was first published on 21st June 2021

ugo-chinedu

I am a Lion, I love to hit heights that seem impossible so I can motivate others and prove doubters wrong. For me, impossible is nothing. I'm open to learning and I love to read, travel and meet new faces.


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