Ofili Out of Diamond League Final, Amusan Set for Glory as Ezekiel, Onwuzurike Make History!

Nigeria’s sprint queen Favour Ofili has withdrawn from the women’s 200m showdown, despite qualifying as one of the top eight contenders.

The Paris 2024 Olympic finalist was poised to make her Diamond League Final debut, but her name is conspicuously absent from the final entry list.

The reason for her withdrawal remains unconfirmed.

While Ofili steps aside, Nigeria’s golden girl Tobi Amusan is back with fire in her eyes. The 28-year-old hurdling sensation, who missed last year’s final, is set to compete in her fourth Diamond League Final.

With three titles already under her belt, Amusan is gunning for a historic fourth win in the 100m hurdles and the coveted $50,000 top prize.

In another dramatic twist, 400m hurdler Nathaniel Ezekiel has been catapulted into the final following the withdrawal of top-ranked athletes Benjamin Rai (USA) and Alison dos Santos (Brazil).

Ezekiel, who finished ninth in the standings, now finds himself in the elite lineup of the Diamond League+ discipline.

With $50,000 on the line for the winner, and $20,000 and $10,000 for second and third respectively, the stakes couldn’t be higher for the young Nigerian.

Udodi Onwuzurike, the former World U20 champion, has pulled off a miracle. Despite competing in just one Diamond League event this season, the sprinter has secured a spot in the final due to a wave of withdrawals.

Meanwhile, Shot Putter Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, who placed seventh in the standings, will not be competing in Zurich.

All six qualified athletes in his event have confirmed their participation, leaving no room for alternates.

With Amusan leading the charge and Ezekiel and Onwuzurike stepping into the spotlight, Nigeria’s hopes for Diamond League glory burn brighter than ever.

The Letzigrund Stadium is set to witness drama, redemption, and the relentless pursuit of excellence as the world’s finest athletes collide for supremacy.