Okagbare qualifies for Tokyo Olympics, World C’ships

Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare-Ighotegunor clocked a Season Best 11.07s (+0.2m/s) to finish in second position in the women’s 100m event at the Shanghai Diamond League on Saturday.

Aleia Hobbs won the race with a time of 11.03s, while double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson raced to third in 11.14 seconds.

Okagbare has now qualified for the 2019 World Championships scheduled for Doha and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games following a brilliant finish in Doha.

It was the Nigerian’s first 100m race of the season and second outing of the season after she ran to a third place finish in 23.14 seconds in the 200m in Doha on 3rd of May, 2019.

The 2008 Bronze winner in the women’s Long Jump will be making her fourth appearance at the 2020 Olympics and becomes the 6th Nigerian athlete to qualify for the 2019 World Championships in Doha.

Having secured qualification for aforementioned international competitions, Okagbare may now focus on preparing for them even as she hopes to build on her decent start to the season.

Other Nigerian athletes that have qualified are Divine Oduduru, Raymond Ekevwo, Ese Brume, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and Oluwatobiloba Amusan.

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