Onwuzuruike and Ofili ready for season debuts at Razorback Invitational

Udodi Onwuzuruike and Favour Ofili

NCAA Onwuzuruike and Ofili ready for season debuts at Razorback Invitational

Funmilayo Fameso 18:54 - 26.01.2023

A preview of Nigeria's best athletes set to compete this weekend in Arkansas, Texas and New Mexico

The Razorback Invitational in Arkansas will witness the best Nigerian athletes compete against each other, as Udodi Onwuzuruike and Favour Ofili will officially make their 2023 season debuts.

Udodi Onwuzuruike will make 2023 season debut at the Razorback Invitational

Onwuzuruike, a Stanford University sophomore student, is listed to compete in the 60m, as well as Louisiana State University's (LSU) Godson Brume (60m and 200m) and reigning African Games Champion Raymond Ekevwo.

Ofili will officially make her season debut in an individual event, competing in the 200m, and college mate Ella Onojuvwevwo will do the 200m and 400m.

Favour Ofili is currently one of the poster girls for Louisiana State University

Meanwhile, Baylor's duo of Ezekiel Nathaniel and Imaobong Uko will hope to build on their momentum from last week by clocking new Personal Bests (PBs) in the 400m.

Ezekiel Nathaniel will aim to lower his 400m PB

Favour Ashe and Chukwuma headline Texas Tech Open

Nigeria's fastest man, Favour Ashe of Auburn University, will challenge for his first 60m final win of the season, competing at the Texas Tech Open.

Favour Ashe in his debut indoor race for Auburn University

Ashe made his season debut two weeks ago, clocking a Season's Best (SB) of 6.57s, and will target to lower this time in Texas.

Rosemary Chukwuma will have her eyes set on maintaining her unbeaten run this year after her fantastic form at the start of the season, running two PBs of 7.11s and 22.99s in the 60m and 200m events,

Rosemary Chukwuma ran a PB of 7.11s in her debut 60m race of the season

The times were NCAA-leading and world-leading times, which may serve as motivations to improve on these records in front of her college crowd.

Joining her in the 60m are the Umoibang sisters of Mercy (Texas Tech) and Maria (South Plains College), Anita Taviore, and top jumper Ruth Usoro.

Usoro will also line up in the long jump, marking her season debut, also included in the event is Onaara Obamuwagun (Texas Tech).

Ruth Usoro will make her 2023 season debut

Success Umukoro (South Plains College) and Abasiano Akpan (Auburn University) will compete in the 200m, 400m, and 4x400m.

Finally, Best Erhire will square up in the men's high jump, and Joseph Oreva will target lowering his long jump SR of 7.74m recorded two weeks ago.

Akintola tops the list at New Mexico Team Open

The spotlight for Nigerian athletes at the New Mexico Team Open will be on Alaba Akintola in the men's 60m and 200m.

Alaba Akintola ran a 60m SR of 6.59s

Akintola, the poster boy for Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) sprints, is scheduled to race in the 60m and 200m.

He clocked a 60m PB and SR of 6.59s two weeks ago, so will be aiming to lower this time.

Alaba Akintola is the poster boy for MTSU in the sprints

Also listed are Knowledge Omovoh (60m and 200m), Ese Awusa (60mH and 4x400m), teammate Esther Isa (high jump and triple jump), and Benjamin Onyekwelu (60m and long jump), and then Victor Akhalu (400m).

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