By: Gracious Akujobi
The Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi has predicted that Blessing Okagbare may emerge the world champion in the women’s 100m race in the forthcoming IAAF World Championship in Russia if she maintains her current form.
He said this in the light of Okagbare’s latest victory, which saw her broke the Africa women’s 100 metre record at the London Diamond League, which took place at the weekend. She first ran 10.86 second in one of the heats, which was better than the previous African record of 10.90, held by fellow Nigerian Gloria Alozie.
Okagbare further improved her personal record by running 10.76 in the final, winning the women’s 100m event at the same venue at Stratford where she failed to make a mark at the London Olympics.
Abdullahi said he was very impressed by her performance and form. “She has consistently shown by her performances that she has got what it takes to be a world champion. It is an impressive performance by any standard, breaking the Africa record two times within a short period. It shows that she is world class and ranks among the best athletes in the world.
“I have no doubt that if she maintains her current form and peaks at the right time she will win the women’s 100m at the World Championship in Russia,” the minister said, while congratulating Okagbare.
The IAAF World Championship will take place in Russia between August 10 and 18, 2013.
