Okagbare leads Nigeria’s charge for medals in athletics

Nigeria’s queen of the track, blessing Okagbare is leading Nigeria’s charge for medals as athletics get underway in Tokyo Olympics. Okagbare who is critical of the sports administrators over the recent disqualification of 10 Nigerian athletes due to their failure to meet up with the mandatory three out-of-competition tests made her debut at the Olympics […]

Nigeria’s queen of the track, blessing Okagbare is leading Nigeria’s charge for medals as athletics get underway in Tokyo Olympics.

Okagbare who is critical of the sports administrators over the recent disqualification of 10 Nigerian athletes due to their failure to meet up with the mandatory three out-of-competition tests made her debut at the Olympics in 2008 at the Beijing Games where she won a silver medal in the women’s long jump.

The 32-year-old has since been a permanent fixture at subsequent Olympic Games, getting to the 100m final at the London Games in 2012 but placing 8th.

Okagbare has been in fine form since the start of the year and shortly after winning her eighth national title at the Yabatech Sports Complex, Lagos, said she is looking forward to a glorious outing in Tokyo.

With a Personal Best of 10.79seconds, although she ran a wind-aided 10.63s in Lagos, Okagbare is confident of at least getting to the final of the 100m, where anything can happen.

“Since the start of this season, I see myself as very ready,” Okagbare said at the national trials in Lagos.

“I feel healthy, stronger and like the real Blessing Okagbare again. I am really happy that this time came down,” the national record holder said at the time, referring to her wind-aided time at the trials

“It will boost my confidence, my faith and my trust in God. I just hope this same thing happens at the Olympics.”