Prosper Nnamdi: ‘I feel really, really bad for not winning the gold medal’

Nigeria’s Javelin record holder, Prosper Chinacherem Nnamdi is nothappy with his perfromance albeit he won the event’s bronze on Day One of 2023 NCAA
Championships.

The 20 year old has been battling with injuries pretty much the whole season but the Baylor University student athlete, according to him, ‘felt like he was
finally 100%’ going into Wednesday’s opening day of the NCAA flagship event.

The Nigerian opened with a huge throw of 77. in the first ound to take the lead. He improved to 78. in the third round but it was not enough as Louisiana
State University’s Tzuriel Pedigo moved past him also with his 79.79m third attempt.

‘I’m not going to lie, I feel really, really bad because I know I have a lot more in the tank. I’ve been struggling throughout the season with injuries, but
I thought I might be able to put it together at the end of the season. I didn’t . . . but next season is going to be better,’ the Nigerian told his school’s
official website.

‘I let my emotions get to me,” said Zaza, who finished fifth last year as a freshman. “When (Pedigo) took the first position from me, I didn’t put it
together. I was struggling to get back to the first position. I’ve just got to listen to what my coach tells me to do.’

Baylor University track and field head coach Michael Ford says he is proud of what Nnamdi has achieved.

‘For him to go out there and compete hard – I know he was disappointed because he didn’t win – but I’m still very proud of him. Going into the championship,
sometimes you have to bring your ‘A’ game even more. . . . The thing is learning how to respond after someone throws something big or somebody jumps
something big. You’ve got to respond. But later on, he’ll think about it. I got third, I moved up two spots,’ said Ford.