AFN names 35 athletes for Olympics

The Nigeria Athletics Federation on Tuesday named 35 athletes for next month’s  Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The athletes were selected after the All Nigeria Championships/Olympic Trials in Sapele last week.

 Africa’s fasted woman Blessing Okagbare
and  the current national  men’s 100m champion  Seye Ogunlewe lead the list dominated by the country’s regulars. Okagbare will compete in 100m, 200m,  4x100m and long jump at the Olympics.

Other athletes in the women’s 100m and 4x100m  team are Jennifer Madu, Gloria Asumnu, Peace Uko, Agnes Osazuwa,  Zainab Sanni, Cecilia Francis, Khadijat Suleman, Olivia Ekpone. Ogunlewe, Egwero Ogho-Oghene and Monzavous Edward will run in the  men’s 100m while Odele Tega and Oduduru Divine  will compete in the 200m.

In other events, Orukpe Eraiyokan will be the only man representing Nigeria in the 400m while new national record-holder  Antwon Hicks will  take part in the men’s 110m hurdles. Former national champion, Miles Ukaoma, will compete in the 400m hurdles while Tosin Oke and Olumide Olamigoke will compete  in the triple jump.  Stephen Mozia will battle for honours in the men’s shot put.

The  NCAA Athlete of The Year, Tobi Amusan,  will be competing in the women’s 100m hurdles while  Amaka Ogoegbunam  will participate   in the women’s 400m hurdles.  Doreen Amata will battle in the women’s high jump. Ese Brume,  Chinwe Okoro,  Nwanneka Okwelogu, Uhunoma Osazuwa are also among those on the list.