African Sprint Queen, Blessing Okagbare, has expressed her readiness to battle Shelley Frazer-Price in the forthcoming Diamond League competition holding in Jamaica on May 3 this year.
Frazer-Price will lead a star studded Jamaican contingent as well as other high profile international athletes to the Jamaican meet.
It portends to be a busy Diamond season as Okagbare, who aims to upset the Jamaican team captain to the London 2012 Olympics in her home country, will proceed from Kingston, Jamaica to Doha on May 9 and from there to China eight days later.
Speaking from her base in the United States of America, Okagbare enthused that she is never afraid of competing with the best but rather sees it as a challenge to raise the bar. The African 100 metres record holder stated: “Jamaica is a country of champions.
“Everyone knows about their prowess and their enviable success on the tracks, but I’m determined to compete on the big stage and prove myself.
“I believe it is doable (beating Frazer-Price in her native country).
“My records will always get better and so I can only train harder, grow my aspirations and keep my belief aflame.”
Evidently, a good outing at these world athletic championships will go a long way to position Okagbare as the athlete to beat during the Nigerian Trials holding in mid-June where she will defend her titles.
The 25-year0old has remained Nigeria’s best export and medal hopeful in recent times, especially in 100meters, 200meters, 4x100metres relay, Long Jump and Triple Jump. Posting impressive returns in London and California last year, Okagbare boasts a bouquet of enviable results.
Among these are Olympic Games Bronze medal, World Championships Silver and Bronze medals, All-Africa Games Gold and Silver medals, African Championships Gold and Silver medals as well as Diamond League Winner.
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