Nigeria’s Rising Stars Race Toward Tokyo 2025: Okon, Ochonogor, and Godfred Set for World Championships Debut
As Nigeria prepares for AFCON 2025, Iwobi’s decision sends a powerful message: for him, national pride and legacy outweigh club convenience. And with the Super Eagles hungry to reclaim continental glory after finishing runners-up in 2023, Iwobi’s experience and fire could be the difference.
Nigeria’s new sprint champion, Israel Okon, is on the cusp of making his debut at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, thanks to the World Rankings quota system that has reshaped the qualification landscape.
Okon, who claimed the national 100m title in Lagos with a time of 10.04 seconds, currently sits as the 35th qualifier on the adjusted list — a ranking that takes into account the three-athlete-per-country limit imposed by World Athletics.
This system means that although powerhouse nations like the United States may have more than a dozen athletes who have met the automatic entry standard, only three can be selected to compete in each event.
As a result, athletes like Okon, whose global ranking might not place him in the top 32, are elevated into qualifying positions once national quotas are applied. Okon is now highly likely to join his Auburn University teammate, Kanyinsola Ajayi, who has already secured his spot via the entry standard.
Their qualification would mark a significant moment for Nigerian sprinting. The last time a Nigerian man reached the 100m final at the World Championships was in 2007, when Olusoji Fasuba placed fourth in Osaka — still the highest finish by a Nigerian in the event. Okon and Ajayi will be eager to return Nigeria to that elite stage.
Beyond the 100m, other Nigerian athletes are also making strong cases for inclusion in Tokyo. In the men’s 400m, Samuel Ogazi and Nathaniel Ezekiel have both qualified via the entry standard, while Chidi Okezie remains in contention through the rankings, currently listed as the 43rd qualifier.
In the men’s long jump, Charles Edward Godfred is ranked 35th among quota qualifiers. Although he hasn’t met the automatic 8.27m standard, his current position could earn him a spot — provided he competes in more events before the August 24 deadline to boost his ranking points.
On the women’s side, Nigeria’s long jumpers are also making waves. While no athlete has met the 6.86m entry standard, Ese Brume and Prestina Ochonogor are both well-placed via the rankings. Brume sits 12th, and Ochonogor, who impressed at the Paris 2024 Olympics, is currently ranked 27th. Her consistent performances this season suggest she’s on track for another major global appearance.
In the discus throw, none of Nigeria’s athletes have hit the 64.50m entry mark, but all three Olympians — Chioma Onyekwere Lyons, Obiageri Pamela Amaechi, and Ashley Anumba — are within the top 30 on the quota list and are likely to be selected. Meanwhile, in the hammer throw, Nigerian champion Sade Olatoye is ranked 26th and looks set to make her fourth consecutive World Championships appearance.
With just 18 days remaining before the qualification window closes on August 24, Nigeria’s athletes are in a race against time to secure their places.
The final team will reflect not only athletic talent but also strategic planning and the opportunities created by the World Rankings quota system — a mechanism that ensures broader global representation and gives emerging nations a fair shot at the world stage.
