Okagbare lowers African Championships 100m mark in Nairobi

Nigeria's Blessing Okagbare set a new African Championships mark in the women's 100m after winning gold in 11.03 seconds at the 17th African Athletics Championships in Nairobi, Kenya today.

Okagbare bettered the old mark of 11.05 (-2.1w) seconds set by fellow Nigerian Mary Onyali-Omagbemi at the 1998 African Athletics Championships in Dakar, Senegal.

Gabon's Zang Milama Perennes Pau was second in 11.15 seconds ahead of two other Nigerians; Damola Osayemi, who was third in 11.22 seconds and Agnes Osazuwa who ended fourth and out of the podium in 11.33 seconds.

The race had two false starts but the Nigerian, who is the women's Long Jump bronze medallist from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, was elated with shattering the long standing record in the 100m.

"I had a race of my life", said Okagbare. "I knew it was going to be difficult and my intention was not to break the record but to win the race.

"I thank God I have achieved it on African soil."

Okagbare is also happy a new championship record came with her first senior title for Nigeria and believes there is more to come.

"I said I am going to give it a shot and I am glad I have done that. I strongly believe there is still more to come', she said.

Okagbare became the eighth Nigerian woman to win the 100m title at the championships. Her victory also made it the 11th time in 16 appearances that Nigeria would appear at the podium as the Champions.

Results:

100m Women's Finals