Islamic Solidarity Games: Olatoye Falls Short in Hammer Throw as Okon George, Nweke Keep Nigeria’s Medal Hopes Alive

Just as Chioma Onyekwere and Obiageri Pamela Amaechi failed to deliver gold in the discus throw despite being overwhelming favourites, Oyesade Olatoye also fell short of expectations in the hammer throw at the Islamic Solidarity Games.

The Nigerian star lost out to Algeria’s Tatar Zahra, the reigning African and African Games champion, who entered the competition in strong form, having crossed the 70m mark for the first time in her career earlier this year with a throw of 70.82m.

The 33-year-old Algerian is one of only three Africans to achieve the feat, alongside the Nigerian duo of Annette Nneka Echikunwoke, who has since switched allegiance to the USA, and Olatoye, who recorded 70.27m this season and has now hit the 70m mark for the third consecutive year.

In Rabat, Olatoye opened strongly with a 60.58m throw to lead the field, but Zahra responded in the fifth round with a 63.55m effort after two opening fouls. The Nigerian’s attempt to reclaim the lead faltered as she registered fouls in both her fifth and final rounds, leaving Zahra to secure the gold medal.

Elsewhere on the track, Patience Okon George ran 52.91 seconds in the women’s 400m to qualify for the final. She finished second in her heat behind 2019 world champion Salwa Eid Naser, who clocked 52.13 and is widely tipped to claim gold.

In the men’s 400m, Gafari Atanda Badmus placed third in his first-round heat with 46.48, but it is his compatriot Ezekiel Eno Asuquo, who ran 46.97 to finish second in his heat, that will feature in the final.

Nigeria’s only representative in the 200m final will be Chidera Ezeakor, who ran 20.72 to place second in his semifinal heat.

In the women’s 100m, Iyanuoluwa Toyin Bada missed out after finishing fourth in her semifinal with 11.71, but Chioma Cynthia Nweke progressed to the final after running 11.64 to place second in her heat.

The fastest qualifiers in the women’s 100m came from outside Nigeria. Edidiong Odiong, formerly Nigerian but now representing Bahrain, posted the second-fastest time of the day with 11.36 to win her semifinal. Cameroon’s Kolle Etame Herverge Tonjock led the field overall, recording 11.31 for the quickest time.