Okagbare wins third successive Nigerian title, Egwero shocks Metu - All Nigeria Championships Day 1 wrap

Defending champion Blessing Okagbare yesterday retained her national 100m title winning for the third successive years at the 65th All Nigeria/Cross River State Athletics Championships inside the UJ Esuene stadium in Calabar, Cross Rivers state of Nigeria.

Okagbare, also the African women's 100m champion, edged out arch-rival and Africa's fastest woman so far in 2011 Oludamola Osayomi in a close finish 11.22 seconds to 11.23 seconds. 

The highly anticipated clash between the two fastest Nigerian women lived up to the expectactions as the rivals battled from the start to the finish line.

Gloria Asunmu, competing at the Nigerian trials for the first time since choosing to represent the African nation instead of the United States, was third in 11.36 seconds.

University of Texas, El Paso (UTEP) Endurance Abinuwa was fourth in 11.37 seconds ahead of Agnes Osazuwa, fifth in 11.39 seconds.

“It was a tight race, but obviously it was clear that I took first just at the tape,” said Okagbare after the race.

Egwero shocks Metu

In the men's 100m race, Ogho-Oghene Egwero showed lots of maturity and calmness to edge out defending champion Obinna Metu at the finish line winning in 10.34 seconds.

Metu, who led for most part of the race, finished disappointedly in 10.35 seconds with Peter Emeliese third in 10.48 seconds.

Stanley Azie, one of the latest entrants to the Nigerian scene from the United States, finished fourth in 10.54 seconds.

Selected Results

Women's 100 Final:

1. Blessing Okagbare (11.22)
2. Damola Osayomi  (11.23)
3. Gloria Asunmu (11.36)
4. Endurance Abinuwa (11.37)
5. Agnes Osazuwa (11.39)
6. Oluwaseun Odeyemi (11.76)