Nigerian young sprinter, Rosemary Chukwuma, said on Saturday that her aim was to win more medals for the country and surpass Blessing Okagbare’s record.
Chukwuma who was part of the country’s 4×100 women’s team that won gold at the ongoing championships told the News Agency of Nigeria at the ongoing Africa Senior Athletics Championships in Asaba that the aim of every athlete was to exceed past records.
She had earlier won gold at the 100m and 200m at the 2018 Africa Youth Games in Algeria.
The 17-year-old Chukwuma hit the limelight after winning the sprint double at the 2017 National U-18 Championships held in Abuja.
The youngster also won the 200m event at the 2017 National Youth Games held in Ilorin.
She added: “I want to win more medals for Nigeria like Blessing Okagbare and even surpass her record because she has done so well for Nigeria as an athlete.
“I know with hard work and the right support, my target will be achieved in future.
“It is the dream of every athlete to win medals for their country at international competitions and that is my target as a young athlete.”
The 2018 Commonwealth 4×100 bronze medalist thanked the Sports and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria for their support and urged them not to relent in their efforts to encourage and promote athletes
After pulling out of the 100m and 200m events, Blessing Okagbare was in action on the Day 3 of action at the ongoing African Senior Athletics Championships, helping Nigeria to a gold medal in the 4x100m women’s event.
The gold medal-winning quartet for Nigeria had youngster Joy Udo-Gabriel starting off in grand-style before Okagbare took the second leg and handed nicely to Tobi Amusan and Rosemary Chukwuma held her own to give Nigeria a precious gold medal ahead of the Ivorian quartet led by Ahuriele Ta Lou.
The Nigerian ladies posted an impressive time of 43.77secs.
“We thank God almighty for our team winning the gold, this is a collective effort, we all put in our best to give Nigeria gold and we are happy we delivered,” Okagbare told journalists after the race
In the men’s 4x100m, Nigeria with a time of 38.74sec settled for second place behind South Africa who so far are dominating the proceedings in Asaba.
There was more celebration for Nigeria in the field events with home girl Ese Brume leaping to gold with 6.83m.
In the Women’s Discuss, Onyekwere Chioma got gold with a throw of 58.09 while her compatriot Okoro Chinwe got silver with her throw of 57.37.
Meanwhile, African athletes competing at the 21st African Senior Athletics Championship have expressed delight at the electric atmosphere inside the Stephen Keshi Stadium since the competition began on Wednesday.
As promised by the Local Organsing Committee Chairman, Solomon Ogba, there has been a huge turnout of fans at the stadium since Day 1 and the African stars on parade have given thumbs up to the Asaba fans.
Africa’s fastest man at the moment, Akanni Simbine, who won the 100m event said it was not only a delight to win the gold medal but to also be in Nigeria.
