IAAF Disqualifies Nathaniel; Okagbare, Brume Set For Long Jump Battle Today

Nigeria’s hope of qualifying for the finals in the women’s 400m hurdle in the ongoing IAAF World Championships, London crashed as a result of Glory Onome Nathaniel’s disqualification in the semi-finals yesterday.

She was disqualified for a possible lane violation during the second semi-final heat of the women’s 400m hurdles.

Nathaniel who ran a new 55.30 seconds personal best in the first round looked sharp in the race and was in contention for a place in the final through the fastest losers slot after finishing fourth in the race in 55.40 seconds.

A review of the race however showed she may have had a lane infringement and was subsequently disqualified to end her dream of becoming the first Nigerian woman to make the final of the 400m barrier run.

Meanwhile, Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor and Ese Brume will attempt to make history Wednesday evening as they will represent Nigeria in the women’s long jump event of the 2017 IAAF World Championships at the Olympic Stadium in London.

Okagbare will also be seeking to become the first Nigerian athlete to win two individual medals in the same event at two championships following her silver medal feat in Moscow, Russia four years ago at championships.

Brume, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, will be hoping to toe the path of Glory Alozie (100m hurdles in 1999) and Ajayi Agbebaku (triple jump in 1983) who made the podium on their debut at the championships.

She will also be seeking to become the fourth Nigerian to qualify for the final of the event after Christy Opara-Thompson in 1991, Chioma Ajunwa in 1997 and Okagbare in 2013.