Onwuzurike posts 10.22s in Berlin as World Championships quest intensifies
Nigeria’s sprint prodigy and 2021 World U20 200m champion, Udodi Onwuzurike, continued his push for a spot on the world stage at the ISTAF Berlin meet on Sunday, placing third in the men’s 100m with a time of 10.22 seconds.
The race marked the second European appearance in five days for the Stanford University graduate, who impressed earlier in the week at the Folksam Grand Prix in Varberg, Sweden, where he clocked a season’s best of 10.13 seconds.
Though slightly off his best in Berlin, Onwuzurike remains focused on his primary goal: breaking the 10-second barrier and earning automatic qualification for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, this September.
Onwuzurike faced stiff competition in Berlin, with Ackeem Blake of Jamaica taking gold in 10.05s, and Germany’s Owen Ansah clinching second in 10.18s.
Fellow Nigerian sprinter Fola Olaye also featured, finishing seventh in 10.29s, reinforcing Nigeria’s growing presence in elite sprinting circles.
Onwuzurike’s next destination remains under wraps as the Athletics Federation of Nigeria is yet to confirm the date and venue for the Nigerian Track and Field Championships which will serve as selection trials for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
With momentum building, expectations are high that the young star will soon deliver the performance that solidifies his place among the world’s best.
