Nigeria turn to Amusan, Brume for medals

Rosemary Chukwuma and Grace Nwokocha of Team Nigeria failed to win a medal in the final of the 100m women’s final at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on Wednesday night.

Both athletes finished fourth and fifth in the women’s final, returning in 11.17secs and 11.18secs, respectively, as Nigeria finished the day without a single point, remaining tenth on the table.

Elaine Thompson-Herah (Jamaica), Julien Alfred (St Lucia), and Daryll Neita (England) won gold, silver, and bronze, respectively, ahead of the Nigerians.

Godson Brume, Favour Ashe, and Raymond Ekevwo were all eliminated from the men’s 100m final.

Mike Edwards finished sixth in the men’s high jump after three attempts to clear the 2.22m barrier were unsuccessful.

Patience Okon-George, a quarter-miler, qualified for the women’s 400m semi-finals after finishing fourth in her heat in 52.63 seconds. It was enough to get her into the semi-finals as one of the fastest non-automatic qualifiers.

Samson Nathaniel and Dubem Amene also qualified from Heat 1 of the men’s 400m and will hope to improve their chances of winning a medal when the event resumes on Thursday (today).

The performance was a far cry from the team’s performance on Day 5, when African champion Chioma Onyekwere became the first Nigerian woman to win the Commonwealth Games gold in the Discus Throw with a 61.70m effort in her fourth attempt, taking the lead from home girl Jade Lally, who led from the start of the competition with her opening throw of 57.33m.

Team Nigeria returned to the Top 10 on the medals table thanks to Onyekwere’s gold medal performance, but there was no significant change on Wednesday as they failed to add to their medal tally.

Following the loss of the duo, Nigeria will rely on world champion Tobi Amusan in the 100m hurdles and silver medalist Ese Brume in the long jump.