Nigeria Eyes Double Podium Finish in Women’s Discus at Islamic Solidarity Games
Nigeria is poised for a golden start to the athletics program of the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games, with Chioma Onyekwere-Lyons and Obiageri Pamela Amaechi projected to claim gold and silver in the women’s discus final on Monday at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Stadium in Riyadh.
The duo, ranked far higher than their competitors, are expected to dominate the field, though Cameroon’s Nora Monie could pose a challenge after setting a new national record of 61.33m in July.
Onyekwere-Lyons, 28, enters the competition as the African record holder, a two-time African champion, and reigning Commonwealth Games champion. She boasts a season’s best of 64.12m and a lifetime best of 64.96m.
Amaechi, the reigning African Games queen, is equally formidable, having thrown a lifetime best of 64.80m last August. Together, they represent Nigeria’s strongest chance at a one-two finish.
Turkey’s Özlem Becerek, who recorded 61.15m at the World University Games in Bochum, Germany earlier this year, is another contender capable of disrupting Nigeria’s dominance. However, the rest of the field consists largely of throwers in the 50m and 45m range, leaving the Nigerians as clear favorites.
Meanwhile, sprint action will also light up the track on Monday, with Nigeria’s Caleb Temidara John and James Taiwo Emmanuel competing in heats one and three of the men’s 100m.
The final of the men’s 100m will be concluded later Monday evening, while the women’s 100m heats and final are scheduled for Tuesday.
