Tokyo 2025: Amusan, Brume lead Team Nigeria’s chase for medals

World record holder, Oluwatobiloba Amusan, and Commonwealth Games champion, Ese Brume, are leading a 15-member squad to the 2025 World Athletics Championships Tokyo, Japan. The poster-girls of Nigerian athletics are joined by a talented mix of established and emerging stars across sprints, jumps, throws, and hurdles. This year’s will be held from September 13-21, with […]

World record holder, Oluwatobiloba Amusan, and Commonwealth Games champion, Ese Brume, are leading a 15-member squad to the 2025 World Athletics Championships Tokyo, Japan.

The poster-girls of Nigerian athletics are joined by a talented mix of established and emerging stars across sprints, jumps, throws, and hurdles.

This year’s will be held from September 13-21, with the best athletes around the globe converging to showcase their athleticism, determination and hunger to win laurels on the world’s biggest stage.

Team Nigeria’s athletes for Tokyo 2025

Men:

• Kayinsola Ajayi – 100m
• Israel Sunday Okon – 100m
• Udodi Chudi Onwuzurike – 200m
• Samuel Ogazi – 400m
• Chidi Okezie – 400m
• Ezekiel Nathaniel – 400m Hurdles
• Charles Godfred – Long Jump
• Chukwuebuka Enekwechi – Shot Put

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Women:

• Rosemary Chukwuma – 100m
• Tobiloba Amusan – 100m Hurdles
• Ese Brume – Long Jump
• Prestina Ochonogor – Long Jump
• Obiageri Amaechi – Discus
• Chioma Onyekwere-Lyons – Discus
• Oyesade Olatoye – Hammer Throw

 

Alli explains lean Team Nigeria squad

In a recent interview, the Chief Executive Officer of the Elite Athletes Development and Performance Board, Yussuf Alli, said Nigeria is taking a lean team to the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championship to avoid another jamboree.

He said: “The era of jamboree and going to major games and championships with a huge team that won’t benefit Team Nigeria in the long or the short run is over. That is one of the issues that the National Sports Commission (NSC) has asked the Performance Board to fix.”

According to the Olympian, athletes selected fall into two categories: those capable of making finals and challenging for medals in the short term, and young competitors with long-term potential who need exposure on the biggest stages.

“In the finals of athletics events, anything can happen. We are investing in athletes that have what it takes to get to the finals of their sport, and young athletes who are future medallists,” he said.

 

NSC pledges maximum support

Meanwhile, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has reaffirmed its support for Team Nigeria as the country’s contingent departed for the World Athletics Championships.

The Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, urged the athletes to give their best and bring glory to Nigeria, emphasizing that they have the full backing of the Commission and other Nigerians.

According to Hon. Olopade, the Chairman of the Commission had declared at the inception of the administration that Nigeria must get it right in athletics.

“This is a moment of pride for our nation, and we trust our athletes to compete with determination and secure podium finishes. The Commission will continue to provide all the support they need and firmly stand behind them as they fly our flag in Tokyo,” said the DG.

The Sports Commission said Hon. Olopade will be on ground in Tokyo to provide support from the frontline, ensuring Team Nigeria enjoys a smooth championship experience.

Championships performance, when Tobi Amusan set the 100m hurdles world record (12.12s) and claimed gold, while Brume secured silver in the long jump.

Team Nigeria will look to build on its 2022 World Championships performance, when Tobi Amusan set the 100m hurdles world record (12.12s) and claimed gold, while Brume secured silver in the long jump