Itshekiri fails to start, Ogunlewe loses ground in World Championships qualifying race
2023 Nigeria 100m speed king, Ushoritse Itshekiri failed to start in the third 100m semifinal heat at the 2023 Canadian Track and Field Championships in
Langley, British Colombia on Saturday.
The 25 year old registered for the Championships ostensibly to either secure the automatic entry qualification time (10.00) or improve on his ranking score as he bids to make a return to the World Championships after making his debut in 2019.
No reason has been given yet for the Nigerian’s inability to start but the 2021 Olympic semifinalist is still quaranteed a place in the World Championships
via his unassailable 1242 ranking score.
The story has however turned from good to bad for Seye Ogunlewe who came second behind Itshekiri at the Nigerian championships in Benin city early this
month.
Ogunlewe, 31, was in good position to secure a spot a few days ago with his 1205 ranking score but the table has turned after Colombia’s Ronal Longa ran 9.99 and Canada’s Brendon Rodney sped to a 10.00 finish at the South American and Canadian track and field championships respectively to secure automatic qualification to the World Championships in Budapest.
The duo pushed Nigeria-born Qatari Femi Ogunode out of the list of 48 athletes expected to compete in Budapest.
Ogunode, with 1208 ranking score has now replaced Ogunlewe as the next athlete under consideration as Nigeria can no longer list him for the fear of losing
the spot.
Ogunlewe still has until Monday Julky 31st to either secure the entry standard which will secure him an automatic trip to Budapest or run close to the entry standard to improve on and surpass Ogunode’s 1208 ranking score.
