Faith Okwose inspires a Nigerian 1-2 finish for 100m title, obliterates Commonwealth Youth Games record

Faith Okwose inspires a Nigerian 1-2 finish for 100m title, obliterates Commonwealth Youth Games record

Funmilayo Fameso 16:53 - 08.08.2023

Faith Okwose and Justina Eyakpobeyan dominated the girl's 100m final, by winning gold and silver medals at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago.

Team Nigeria's duo of Faith Okwose and Justina Eyakpobeyan were the cynosure of all eyes in the girl's 100m event at the ongoing Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago.

Okwose clocked a ground-breaking lifetime best of 11.26s to become the Commonwealth Youth Champion, moving past her compatriot Eyakpobeyan also in a lifetime best of 11.29s, while home girl Sanna Frederick was third in 11.48s.

Interestingly, the Nigerian youngsters each smashed the Games Record of 11.46s in their semifinal races. Okwose first ran 11.42s for an effortless victory and Eyakpobeyan smashed it with an equal lifetime best of 11.35s, affirming their dominance in the event in the Caribbean country.

Okwose and Eyakpobeyan win gold and silver medals at Commonwealth Youth Games
Justina Eyakpobeyan and Faith Okwose after the 100m final at the Commonwealth Youth Games

They won the same colour of medals at the African youth championships, and going on to dominate at the Commonwealth level shows they're in the top three of the best teen speedsters in the world as their times are second and third best for their age group.

Consequently, their talents are of great advantage to Nigeria, with both having great signs of dominating the women's 100m at the elite level in the future. Hence, their healthy rivalry will push each other to greatness.

Okwose and Eyakpobeyan are listed to compete in the 200m, where they're favourites for the top two positions.

In the men's 100m final, Sunday Israel Okon sadly missed a podium finish as he placed fourth in 10.58s. Meanwhile, Samuel Ogazi and Erioluwa Olanrewaju qualified for the men's 400m final as Ogazi sped to 48.17s to win his semifinal and his compatriot clocked 48.73s for a second-place finish in his race.

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