Ogazi moves into Nigeria 300m top 10 all-time list, Fakorede storms to another lifetime best

Paris 2024 Olympics 400m finalist, Samuel Ogazi sped to a 34.11 seconds finish in the 300m to place eighth overall at the Orange and Purple Invitational meeting held in Clemson, South Carolina on Saturday.

It was the first time the 18-year-old was running over the distance in a race he was billed to go head-to-head with Consdier Ekanem, one of the new revelations of this indoor season in the NCAA but it was not to be as Consider did not start the race.

Ogazi’s 34.11 time is the second fastest by a Nigerian in the event so far this after James Onwuka’s 34.00 seconds run on January 18. It is also the ninth fastest by a Nigerian in the history of the event.

Also at the same meet, sprint sensation, Adekalu Fakorede made the headlines for the second straight day after setting yet another lifetime best.

Fakorede sped to a 21.16 finish to finish seventh in the final classification in the 200m event to set a new personal best, a day after he stormed to a 6.60 finish in the 60m event to set a lifetime best.

The time is the 17th fastest by a Nigerian in the history of the event.

Meanwhile, the duo of Kanyinsola Ajayi and Israel Okon did not start the race.

Like Fakorede, Victoria Aransiola also ran a lifetime best in the half lap event. Her 23.98 finish is the sixth fastest by a Nigerian so far this year.

Faith Okwose could not break 24 seconds in the event as she finished 14th in 24.36.

At the RADD Sports College Invitational and Multi-Event in Gainesville, Florida, former World u20 champion, Udodi Onwuzurike ran 6.70 to place in the 60m event in his first race since the Paris 2024 Olympics in August, 2024.

The Nigerian ran 6.70 to place third in the overall classification behind Olympic 100m champion, Noah Lyles (6.62) and Caleb Dean (6.68).