Olympics: Nigeria’s darling, Okagbare wins race

Posted by admin Headlines, Sports, Track & Field Friday, August 3rd, 2012

By Onochie Anibeze, reporting from London

True to expectations from expectant Nigerians fans, Blessing Okagbare yesterday won her 100m heat to move into the women’s semi-final holding tonight at the Olympic Stadium in London.

If she qualifies, Okagbare, who clocked 10.93secs in last night’s race, her personal best so far, is just a race shy of featuring in the 100m finals holding an hour after the semifinals races are completed. She is joined by compatriot Gloria Asomnu, who returned a time of 11.13 in her heat to qualify for the penultimate stage of the women’s 100m. Camiliter Jeter of the USA clocked the fastest time of 10.83 secs to win her heat and stand a good chance of winning the gold ahead of Okagbare, if both runners reach the final.

*Happy Okagbare shortly after the race

Although she had a poor start, Okagbare recovered well as she took control of the race on the 50m mark all the way to the destination point, smiling as she crossed the finish line. Moments after her victory, she told reporters at the mixed zone that after working hard and preparing well that she was happy that efforts in vain.

“I have worked so hard to get this far and I am so happy that I am in the semis. I hope there is more to come tomorrow (today) but I am so happy with the way that I ran and I am just expecting a better race tomorrow (today).

The semis hold at 7.35 pm while the final takes place two hours later on the impressive track of the Olympic Stadium, which track and field followers believe is fast and can make the athletes to run faster time in their respective races.

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