Blessing Okagbare anchored the Nigerian team

By Duro Ikhazuagbe

Nigeria qualified for the final of the women’s 4x100m relay Thursday night despite finishing fifth in the heat won by the Tianna Madison-led USA quartet.

The Nigerian girls stole into the final slated for Friday night as the fastest loser of the two heats ran at the Olympic Stadium.

Though the Nigerian girls ran their season’s best time of 42.74secs, it was obvious that they could not match the strong field that included USA, Trinidad and Tobago, The Netherlands and Brazil.

Christy Udoh, who opened the race for Nigeria from lane two, failed to match up the Americans and the rest of the field. She struggled to hand over baton to Gloria Asumnu. Asumnu had a slight advantage before handing over to Damola Osayomi.

A poor baton exchange slightly slowed Blessing Okagbare before struggling to the finish line in the fifth place.

Okagbare was excited that Nigeria made it to the final, even as the eight team in Friday’s clash.

The other teams in Friday’s final include Jamaica, Ukraine and Germany.

Tosin Oke did his best but was not good enough to get him to the podium.

He finished seventh on the overall standing of the Men’s triple jump with a 16.95m that was below his Personal Best of 17.22m.

World Champion, American Christian Taylor lived up to billing, winning the gold in 17.81m (a season’s best). His compatriot, Will Claye picked the silver medal with 17.62m while Italian Fabrizio Donato (17.48m) was the surprise bronze medallist.