Onwuzurike takes battle for Olympics 200m semifinals ticket to Repechage Round

Udodi Onwuzurike will get a second chance to become the fourth Nigerian man to run in the semifinals of the 200m at the Olympics in the Repechage Round after fading away towards the end of his opening round heat.

The 21 year old ran 20.55 to place fifth and miss out on one of the three automatic tickets on offer in the race.

The Nigerian will however try again in the repechage round meant for athletes who failed to secure automatic tickets into the semifinals.

The 2021 world u20 champion will be keen to add his name to that of the three Nigerians who have ran in the semifinals of the event led by Olapade Adeniken who ran in the semifinals in 1988 and 1992, and even ran in the final in 1992, placing fifth.

Francis Obikwelu also ran in the final twice, first in 1996 after he emerged double sprints champion in Sydney at the World U20 championships, and in 2000 before switching allegiance to Portugal.

Divine Oduduru was also in the semifinals twice, 2016 and 2021, but did not make it to the final.