The Commonwealth Games, goal of Ofili and company

EUGENE- The Nigerian 4X100m women's relay team is targeting greater success after breaking the long- standing African Record on the penultimate day of the World Championships in Oregon.

The quartet of Joy Udo-Gabriel, Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma and Grace Nwokocha stormed to a new African Record of 42.22 to make up for their missed medal opportunity in Oregon.

 

They smashed the previous record of 42.37 set 30 years ago by the Nigerian team of Beatrice Utondu, Faith Idehen, Mary Onyali and Christy Opara.

Ofili was all smiles and here is what she had to say: “I am happy that Nigeria represented the whole of Africa and we delivered when it really mattered. We did our best. It’s not what we expected but it just happened - breaking the African Record and coming forth.  For us it is a big deal.”

Rosemary Chukwuma, on her part noted: “It’s sad missing the podium by one place but breaking the record is great. Just imagine what it would be if we had ended in the medal bracket. I mean, if we practice well and have this connection of bonding together, we can do better."

"We need to pull together and practice more. We expect to do well at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham which is our next stop.”

The quartet became the first Nigerian side in 11 years to sail through to the women’s 4X100m final with a Season’s Best (SB) of 42.68 to finish 3rd in Heat 2.

Team USA, consisting of Melissa Jefferson, Abby Steiner, former Oregon Ducks star Jenna Prandini and Twanisha Terry took the gold in a world-leading time of 41.14. 

Jamaica, composed of Kemba Nelson, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson, was in second place with a time of 41.18.  

Germany (Tatjana Pinto, Alexandra Burghardt, Gina Lückenkemper and Rebekka Haase, were in third place in 42.03. 

ALEX ISABOKE