Nigeria’s Udodi Onwuzurike on Friday qualified for Saturday’s final of the men’s 200 metres event at the ongoing World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Onwuzurike ran in at 20.13 seconds to win heat 2 of the event, ahead of South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile, who finished second with 20.45.
Blessing Afrifah of Israel was third with 20.47, and the three of them advanced to join five others from heats 1 and 3 for the final.
Nigeria’s Adekalu Fakorede was however not as successful after finishing sixth in heat 1, following a time of 20.87 which was even his personal best.
NAN reports that Onwuzurike, who now has the fastest qualification time among the eight finalists, had clocked a personal best 20.47 to win the first round’s heat 1.
Fakorede had finished fifth then in heat 4 with 21.14 to squeeze into the semi-finals as one of the fastest losers.
In the women’s 200m semi-finals, Nigeria’s Favour Ofili was impressive when winning heat 3 in 22.37 to advance to Saturday’s final.
She had won heat 5 of the first round in 22.74 to advance to the semi-finals earlier in the day.
Teammate Anita Taviore could not go beyond the semi-finals on her part, after finishing last in heat 2 with 24.37.
Namibia’s Beatrice Masilingi was quickest in the semi-finals, taking victory with 22.19 to qualify for the final, just 17 hours after winning the silver medal in the 100m.
“I felt a bit fatigued and I am a little surprised I ran that good,” she said. “Yesterday’s success is now passed, and I am gearing up for the remaining race.”
Her compatriot Christine Mboma, the Olympic silver medallist, also advanced to the final with 22.41.
The Namibian duo, as well as Jamaica’s Brianna Lyston, will however no doubt be among those to challenge for medals with Ofili in the final.
Competition at the championships which officially began in Nairobi on Tuesday is expected to end on Sunday.
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
