Team Nigeria wrapped up their campaign at the World Relays in Gaborone on Sunday, May 3, with two more qualification spots for the World Athletics Championships in Beijing and a place at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest.
Nigeria had opened their account on Day One with a mixed 4x100m ticket after setting an African record, but hopes in five other events slipped away. The repechage offered a second chance and the team grabbed two of them.
The mixed 4x400m quartet of Samson Nathaniel, Mary Kudoro, Chidi Okezie and Patience Okon-George delivered a season’s best 3:12.88 to finish second behind South Africa, who edged victory in 3:12.77 after a gripping duel down the home straight. Positions changed repeatedly before Okon-George held firm against late pressure from Germany to seal Nigeria’s second ticket to Beijing.
Redemption followed in the women’s 4x100m. After baton mishaps on Saturday, Rosemary Nwankwo, Obi Chukwuka, Maria Thompson-Omokwe and Miracle Ezechukwu bounced back with a season’s best 42.94s to place second behind France and confirm qualification.
The men’s 4x100m team fell short. Favour Ashe, James Emmanuel, Tejiri Godwin and Chidera Ezeakor clocked 38.50s but finished third behind Belgium and Jamaica.
There was more heartbreak in the men’s 4x400m. Nigeria ran 3:01.43 and missed qualification by fractions behind Spain and Senegal despite strong legs from Gafar Badmus, Emmanuel Ojeli, Victor Ime and Ezekiel Asuquo.
Nigeria’s women’s 4x400m team did not start their repechage race, leaving the country with three World Championships relay tickets in total.
The mixed 4x100m squad also secured a place at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship after finishing among the top six in the final, won by Jamaica in a world record 39.62s.
