By: Gracious Akujobi
Blessing Okagbare ended Nigeria’s long wait for a medal at the World Athletics Championships when she placed second in the long jump event at the ongoing championships in Moscow, Russia.
She was only 0.02cm behind the gold medalist, Brittney Reese of the United States America, who won with her second jump of 7.01m. Okagbare leapt 6.99m.
Okagbare, who is also in the hunt for a medal in the 100m women race, is the first Nigerian to win a medal at the Championships since Seville’99 where Gloria Alozie won a silver medal in the 100m hurdles and Francis Obikwelu won a bronze in 200m.
Reese also made history by becoming the first woman to make it a hat trick of gold medal wins at the World Championships.
Blessing Okagbare was the toast of the world press at the mixed zone of the Moscow Olympic Stadium, venue of the ongoing IAAF World Championship.
Straight from the field where she won the silver medal in the women long jump, journalists of different nationalities wanted to have word with Okagbare, and she was all smiles as she fielded questions from reporters.
Asked how she felt ending Team Nigeria’s drought at the IAAF World Championship in Athletics which goes back to Seville 99 IAAF World Championship in Spain, Okagbare said, “I give glory to the almighty God, I thank him for everything, I also thank him for using me because he could have used anybody, I thank him for using me. I also thank all members of my family, friends and relations for their support.”’
Okagbare was supported by her American coach John Smith, who urged her on until victory was attained.
