These athletes are Nigeria’s current top jumpers and throwers who are National Sports Festival (NSF) champions in their respective events.
High on the list is Commonwealth champion and World Championships silver medalist Brume, who is bidding for her third straight long jump title at the festival, after victories in 2018 and 2021.
If he successfully pulls it off, it will be his fourth gold and fifth medal overall in three attempts. Her other medals were being part of the Delta State 4x100m quartet, winner of a Gold medal in the last edition and a Silver medal in Triple Jump.
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, the National Record (NR) holder in the men’s shot put, is expected to retain his title, considering he has been dominating the event in recent years.
Enekwechi has not only been the best shot putter in Nigeria, but also the best shot putter in Africa since his international debut in 2017. This year, he defended his African title by throwing a championship record (CR) of 21.08 m and he reached the final of the World Championship and the Commonwealth Games.
However, he will have a tough competitor in Dotun Ogundeji, hoping to create an interesting upset by securing the gold medal for Rivers State.
Commonwealth champion Chioma Onyekwere will also be in the country prepared to defend her discus title. The NR holder made Commonwealth Games (CWG) history this year, becoming the first Nigerian athlete to be crowned CWG Champion at the event.
Onyekwere will be driven by newly crowned Nigerian champion Obiageri Amaechi, who earned an upset victory over her bosom friend at the Nigerian Championships in Benin. She also won a bronze medal at the African Championships in Mauritius, which was her debut for Nigeria.
Fans can expect Sade Olatoye to participate in the defense of his Hammer Throw title. Olatoye won the African title in Mauritius and competed in the World Championships.
Meanwhile, the NR titleholder in the women’s javelin, Kelechi Nwanaga returns to compete on her home soil, after several years in the US as a collegiate athlete out of Florida State University.
Her return may mean that she is ready to have a fully competitive 2023 season, with Asaba as the starting point.
Consequently, National Long Jump Champion Joseph Edafiadhe is in Asaba and will be the favorite to continue his dominance on the country’s shores.
Athletics will begin on Sunday 4, 2022 at Stephen Keshi Stadium.
