Chukwuma, Ofili, Abba battle to succeed Okagbare as Nigeria’s first NCAA 60m indoor queen in13 years
Former African Youth and U20 double sprint champion, Rosemary Chukwuma will lead the Nigerian trio of herself, Favour Ofili and Ezinne Abba to battle for the 60m title at the NCAA Division 1 Indoor Championships this weekend in New Mexico.
The trio will be competing alongside 13 others for the prestigious title to close the collegiate indoor season in the USA.
Chukwuma, who holds a 7.09 personal best set last month is seen as the Nigerian with the best chance to challenge pre-championship favourite, Julien Alfred of University of Texas for the title.
The 21 year old, ranked the second fastest among the 16 competitors that will be in New Mexico has the best chance of becoming the first Nigerian since 2010 to win the title after Blessing Okagbare who ran 7.18 to win in 2010 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Ofili ran a new 7.15 personal in the event a forthnight ago but the 20 year old will fancy her chances in the 200m where she is ranked the pre-championship second best.
Abba has also set a new lifetime best in the event with her 7.17 run in Texas last month, becoming in the process the 13th Nigerian to go under 7.20 in the event.
The 22 year old will however need to run a new lifetime best and probably break 7.10 to stand a chance of making the podium.
