By Akeem Lawal
NIGERIA'S female top
sprinter, Blessing Okagbare-Ighotegunor is now the first Nigerian athlete to
qualify for two events (100m and 200m) at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo,
Japan and the World Athletics Championship billed for Doha in September,
Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com reports.
The 30 year old raced to a
Season's Best of 22.58s to finish 3rd in the women's 200m at the IAAF World
Challenge in Nanjing on Tuesday and book her place in the 200m event at Tokyo
2020.
The multi-talented athlete,
had over the weekend, secured her tickets to the 100m event at both Tokyo 2020
and World Championship after clocking a Season Best 11.07s to finished 2nd in
the women’s 100m of the IAAF Diamond League in Shanghai behind American Aleia
Hobbs, who claimed the $10,000 top prize money in 11.03s. Double Olympic
champion Elaine Thompson however finished 3rd in 11.14s.
Tuesday’s event in Nanjing
saw Elaine Thompson won the race in 22.40s, while Nigerian-born Bahrain
athlete, Salwa Eid Naser ran a PB of 22.56s to finish 2nd.
Okagbare, a 2008 Olympic
silver medalist in the long jump could get to three events if she competes in
the long jump.
Three other Nigerian athletes
that have qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Tobi Amusan (100m Hurdles), Raymond
Ekevwo (100m) and Divine Oduduru (100m).
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