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All you need to know about the 18 Nigerian athletes that will be competing at the NCAA Championships.
Nigerian college athletes will be gunning to write their names in the history books as they compete with the best US college athletes at the NCAA Championships from Wednesday, June 7 - Saturday, June 10, 2023.
The NCAA Championships is regarded as the World Championships of college track and field, where the best student-athletes in the US compete against each other, gunning to bring glory to their various schools by producing record-breaking performances.
Based on the qualification process at the NCAA West and East Preliminaries, an impressive 18 Nigerian athletes qualified for the championship, the third highest nationality behind the US and perhaps Jamaica.
Here’s a detailed compilation of the qualified athletes, their events, their schools, and predictions of the outcome of their performances.
Men’s category
100m event
A record-setting five Nigerian athletes qualify for the men’s 100m event. They are:
- Favour Ashe - Auburn University
- Godson Brume - Louisiana State University
- Udodi Onwuzurike - Stanford University
- Alaba Akintola - Middle Tennessee State University
- Karlington Anunagba - University of Northern Texas
At least two have the qualities of making the final, and one, if not both will medal.
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17:28 - 27.05.2023
NCAA Championships: Meet the 5 Nigerian male sprinters that qualified in the 100m
Udodi Onwuzurike, Favour Ashe, Godson Brume, Alaba Akintola, and Karlington Anunagba booked their spots in the men's 100m at the NCAA Championships in Austin.
200m event
- Udodi Onwuzurike - Stanford University
- Alaba Akintola - Middle Tennessee State University
Both have good chances of qualifying for the final, while Onwuzurike has the best chance of medalling.
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22:09 - 03.06.2023
NCAA A pre-Nigerian Trials race! Onwuzurike, Brume, and Akintola set to face off at NCAA Championships
Udodi Onwuzurike, Godson Brume, and Alaba Akintola, will compete in the same semifinal race at the NCAA Championships.
400m event
Dubem Amene - University of Michigan
A dicey one, but he has the talent to qualify if he can run a sub-46 time.
400m Hurdles
Ezekiel Nathaniel - Baylor University
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14:59 - 28.05.2023
NCAA Ezekiel Nathaniel and Bashiru Abdullahi secure hurdles spots to NCAA Championships
For the second consecutive year, Ezekiel Nathaniel and Bashiru Abdullahi will be competing at the NCAA Championships.
He has a very good chance of making the final and even medalling.
Javelin throw
Nnamdi Chinecherem - Baylor University
He also has the qualities of medalling
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14:54 - 25.05.2023
NCAA Chinecherem punches ticket as Nathaniel advances to quarterfinals at NCAA West Preliminaries
Baylor's duo of Nnamdi Chinecherem and Ezekiel Nathaniel produced impressive performances on Day 1 of the NCAA West Preliminaries.
110m Hurdles
Bashiru Abdullahi - University of Texas San Antonio
Also very dicey, but he can spring up a major surprise by booking a final spot.
4x100m relays
Godson Brume - Louisiana State University are the favourites to win the NCAA title.
4x400m relays
- Victor Akhalu - University of New Mexico
- Ezekiel Nathaniel - Baylor University (Possible finalist and medallist)
Women’s category
100m
Rosemary Chukwuma - Texas Tech University
All things being equal, Chukwuma should qualify from her semifinal heat and make her second consecutive final.
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14:19 - 28.05.2023
NCAA Chukwuma and Ofili qualify for the NCAA Championships in the women's 100m and 200m
The duo of Rosemary Chukwuma and Favour Ofili secured their spots in the women's 100m and 200m respectively at the NCAA Championships.
200m
Favour Ofili - Louisiana State University
Hopefully, her injury woes are behind her, and she’s back to her best form.
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21:26 - 03.06.2023
NCAA Championships: Ofili gets stiff semifinal heat against Alfred and Abba
Ofili is set to face Julien Alfred and Ezinne Abba in the 200m at NCAA Championships
Triple jump
Onaara Obamuwaguan - Texas Tech University
A top-eight finish will be a top priority.
Discus throw
Ashley Anumba - Virginia University
A top-eight finish will be a top priority.
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17:23 - 22.05.2023
3 iconic feats Ashley Anumba attained entering the African Discus history books
Ashley Anumba exceptional form this season is an indicator that for the first time in history, Nigeria may be sending two Discus throwers to the World Championships.
4x100m
- Imaobong Uko - Baylor University
- Adaobi Tabugbo - BYU
- Favour Ofili
- Rosemary Chukwuma
- Amarachukwu Obi - University of Alabama
4x400m
- Imaobong Uko
- Favour Ofili
- Ella Onojuvwevwo
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05:17 - 05.06.2023
Unilorin student representing Nigeria at World University Games aims to break records
Musa Nurain is part of the 75 student-athletes who were selected from 22 universities and will compete in seven different sports disciplines.
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