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Udodi Onwuzurike has decided to join the professional league of athletes and dropped his remaining two years of NCAA eligibility.
American-born Nigerian speedster Udodi Onwuzurike has announced his forgoing the remaining two years of his student-athlete college scholarship at the prestigious Stanford University to turn professional.
Onwuzurike, who became the NCAA 200m champion this season and has respective Personal Bests of 19.76s and 9.92s in the 100m, is one of the brightest young sprinters in the world.
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The 20-year-old announced his decision via his social media platforms, revealing reasons he's forgoing the remaining years of his eligibility status as a college student-athlete.
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07:05 - 08.06.2023
Udodi Onwuzurike storms to an incredible 19.76s to qualify for the 200m final at NCAA Championships
Udodi Onwuzurike clocked one of the fastest 200m times in world history, after blazing to a jaw-dropping 19.76s at the NCAA Championships.
"After much prayer and discussion, I will be forgoing the remaining two years of my collegiate eligibility and will be turning professional.
My lifelong dream has come true, bringing both excitement and reflection with this fresh opportunity. Thank you, Stanford for everything. This is not a goodbye, but a new beginning."
This means Onwuzurike will now start competing at professional meets in Europe, joining the elite league of athletes.
The 2021 World Junior champion will be gunning for a memorable first professional season as he prepares to make a worthy appearance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
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Onwuzurike, with dual citizenship was the most talented and sought-after male high school sprinter in the US, but he chose to represent Nigeria internationally and Stanford University at college level.
During his two years as a college athlete, he became the most decorated male track athlete in Stanford history, shattering all the school records in the 60m, 100m, and 200m indoors and outdoors.
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His first senior appearance was at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon and Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where he was part of the Nigerian 4x100m bronze medal-winning relay team.
Onwuzurike hasn't made known the professional shoe company he'll be running for yet.
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