Incredible Okon storms home in 6.51 lifetime best to seal first SEC final spot
Israel Okon has set up a mouthwatering Southeastern Conference, SEC, 60m final after he sped to a 6.51 lifetime best and set new Facility record (held by Consider Ekanem at 6.57) to win his heat at the Friday at the Bryan-College Station in Texas.
The time also equals the fastest time in the NCAA so far this season held by another Nigerian, Kanyisola Ajayi who ran 6.57 to win his heat and secure the lone automatic ticket on offer for Saturday’s final.
Okon thus picked the automatic qualification ticket for the final on his first attempt.
All eyes will thus be on the two Nigerians currently ruling the 60m event in the NCAA ahead of the final which will also have another Nigerian, Adekalu Fakorede who ran 6.63 to win his heat and also secure the automatic ticket on offer.
Both Okon and Ajayi are joint fourth in the Nigerian all-time list in the 60m and the duo could be seeking to become the third and the fourth Nigerian to break 6.50 in the event after Deji Aliu, the Nigerian record holder at 6.48 and Olusoji Fasuba, the 2008 World indoor champion at 6.49.
The duo, Sportsnow.com.ng has learnt may not be available for this month’s World indoor championships in Nanjing, China where they could have been joint favourites for the gold medal.
