Nigerian Stars Shine at Texas Meet as They Aim for Success

Nigeria's presence in global athletics will be highlighted again this Saturday. Four of the country’s top track athletes, Favour Ofili, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Rosemary Chukwuma, and Ella Onojuvwevwo, will compete against some of the best athletes in the world at the first Lone Star Grand Prix in Texas, USA.

This event is part of the new USATF Tour. It is one of only two World Athletics Continental Tour Gold events happening in the United States this season, along with the Los Angeles Grand Prix later this month.

For Team Nigeria, this competition is a big chance to test its rising stars against strong international athletes. This comes as they prepare for a busy championship season ahead.

A lot of eyes will be on women's sprint star Favour Ofili. She is in the middle of her season, facing recent issues from her attempt to switch her sporting allegiance to Turkey. Ofili, who holds the 150m world record, will run in a tough 200m race with some of the biggest names in sprinting.

Among her competitors is Olympic champion Gabby Thomas, a top quarter-miler and sprinter worldwide. Rhasidat Adeleke, who came fourth in the Olympic 400m final, will also be in the race. Other strong competitors include world and Olympic finalist Deajah Stevens and American sprinter Cambrea Sturgis, who has already run a season-best of 21.93 seconds. Adding to the competition are World Championships relay gold medallists Jenna Prandini and Kayla White, plus talented American high school runner Mariah Maxwell.

In the women’s 100m, Nigerian sprinter Rosemary Chukwuma will compete against a strong field. She has a personal best of 10.95 seconds and has shown great form this year, running a wind-assisted 10.81 seconds earlier. Her rivals include 2023 World Championships 4x100m relay gold medallist Tamari Davis and Jamaican relay star Jodean Williams, who has a World Championship silver in the women’s 4x100m relay. With the World Championships cycle picking up, each race against this level of athletes offers important experience and ranking points.

Another rising star from Nigeria, Ella Onojuvwevwo, will take part in the women's 400m. She has had a breakthrough year, setting a new African indoor record of 50.28 seconds and starting her outdoor season with an impressive 49.59 seconds. Many will watch her closely as she aims for her first major global medal. But she will face tough competition from Jamaica’s Stacey Ann Williams and skilled Americans Britton Wilson and Bailey Lear.

Ezekiel Nathaniel, who holds the African 400m hurdles record, will compete in one of the most challenging events on the program. He is among Africa’s top hopes in this event but will face strong opponents. Among them is world finalist Caleb Dean, who has already run 47.75 seconds this season, and 2022 World Championships bronze medallist Trevor Bassitt, who has a season best of 47.82 seconds.

Outside the Nigerian team, the men’s 100m is set to be a highlight of the competition. Jamaican sprint star Oblique Seville will race against a strong field, including Olympic champion Andre De Grasse, former world indoor champion Trayvon Bromell, World Championships bronze medallist Zharnel Hughes, and Ronnie Baker, who has a time of 9.83 seconds. With world-leading times, championship goals, and important ranking points at stake, the Lone Star Grand Prix is expected to be one of the best athletics meetings of the season.

For Nigeria’s athletes, this is another chance to show the country’s growing talent and build momentum for the major championships coming up later this year.