Oborodudu enters wrestling quarterfinals
By Ola Kay
As Team Nigeria continues to compete at the ongoing Olympic Games in Paris, the nation’s athletes have made remarkable strides making the nation proud at global sports fiesta.
Details of the Nigerian contingent’s performance was contained in a statement by Senior Assistant to the Minister of Sports Development, Diana-Mary Nsan,
The statement made available to available to The Pinnacle Times on Monday reads in part, “Ezekiel Nathaniel has broken a 12-year record, qualifying for the semifinals of the men’s 400m hurdles event, while Samuel Ogazi shattered a 16-year record by advancing to the semifinals in the men’s 400m.
“Ezekiel Nathaniel became the first Nigerian athlete in 12 years to reach the semifinals of the 400m hurdles at the Olympics. He secured his spot by finishing 2nd in heat 4 with a time of 48.32 seconds, earning an automatic qualification. The last Nigerian to reach this stage in the event was Amaechi Morton at the London 2012 Olympics.
“In the men’s 400m event, Samuel Ogazi ran a new personal best of 44.50 seconds, finishing 2nd behind USA’s Quincy Hall, who won the race in 44.28 seconds. Ogazi’s impressive performance marked the first time in 16 years that a Nigerian male quarter-miler qualified for the 400m semifinals at the Olympics.
The statement also informed that Favour Ofili is set to compete in the semifinals of the women’s 200m on Monday evening, following her impressive performance in the heats, while Udodi Onwuzurike will participate in round 1, heat 2 of the men’s 200m event same day.
In wrestling, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games silver medallist, Blessing Oborodudu was said to have defeated her Canadian opponent, Linda Morais to progress into the quarterfinals of the women’s 68kg event.
Oborodudu recovered from 0-2 down to win 8-2 on points.
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