Commonwealth Games: Five Nigerians Reach Athletics Finals

Seye Ogunlewe and Enoch Adegoke on Sunday have both qualified for the final of the  Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games men’s 100m.

In the  women category, the country’s representatives Jennifer Madu, Isoken Igbinosun and Joy Udo-Gabriel lost in  the semi-finals. Udo-Gabriel was the closest of the women to qualifying after finishing fourth in her semi-final in 11.53secs.

Ogunlewe, who is the national 100m champion, equalled his season’s best of 10.20secs to place third in the third semi-final to qualify as one of the fastest losers in his heat. Adegoke, who is making his debut for Nigeria, won the second semi-final in 10.24secs.

The Nigerians face Jamaica’s Yohan Blake, who is favourite for  gold, and South Africa’s Akani Simbine, who is expected to claim silver in the event, in the final on Monday.

The country’s other representative in the men’s 100m Egwero Ogho-Oghene failed to make the final after placing sixth in 10.42secs.

In the men’s 400m, Chidi Okezie and Samson Nathaniel both qualified for Monday’s  semi-finals  after they finished in 45.84secs and 46.41secs respectively. But Orukpe Erayokan placed fourth in his heat in 47.19secs and didn’t progress into the semis.

Also, women’s 20km race walk national record holder Fadekemi Olude finished 10th in the event after she finished in 1:49:31. Australia’s Jemima Montag claimed gold in 1:32:50.

In the men’s shot put, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and Eke Kalu qualified for Monday’s final. Enekwechi threw a mark of 20.66m to place second behind New Zealand’s Tom Walsh who threw 22.45m to win in qualifying group A. Kalu threw 17.62m to qualify as one of the best losers from qualifying group B.

In boxing, Nigeria’s Itunu Oriola’s lost 4-1 to Australia’s Kaye Scott in the quarterfinals of the women’s 69kg.

On Monday, Folasade Abugan, Patience George and Yinka Ajayi compete in the women’s 400m heats while in table tennis Nigeria face England in the semi-final of the men’s team event. Goodness Duru competes in the F46 women’s javelin final.

Also, Oyeniyi Abejoye competes in the men’s 110m hurdles while in boxing; Millicent Agboegbulem faces Elizabeth Andiego of Kenya in the quarterfinals of the women’s 75kg and Lukman Lawal fights Uganda’s Regam Simbwa in the round of 16 of the men’s 81kg.

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