By ABDULRAHMAN YAHAYA

Team Nigeria had a fruitful first day at the senior Athletic Championships in Accra, Ghana on Tuesday, coming first and second in different categories.

Rosemary Chukwuma opened the doors for team Nigeria with her easy win in the women’s 100m heat 2, with a flash time of 11.44s.

Chukwuma jugged through the finished line after giving her opponents an unreachable distance.

Chidera Ezeakor followed with an even faster time in the men’s 100m heat with a flash time of 10.38s, beating Ghana’s fastest man Abdul-Rasheed Saminu to the win.

Samson Nathaniel followed suit in the men’s 400m, crossing the line first and leaving Omuka Kenneth of Uganda and Musika Malongo of Kenya to settle for 2nd and third.

South Africa’s Marlie Viljeon finished first in the women’s 400m heat, but Nigeria’s Esther Okon’s second place finish was enough to qualify her to the second round.

In the hurdles, world record holder Tobi Amusan lived up to expectations as she clocked a season’s best of 12.82s to advance to the final on Wednesday. Amusan was the overall fastest in the two heats.

Ashe favor, who was earlier disqualified for false start, was granted a chance for solo run after Nigeria’s appeal. Favor clocked a time of 10.55s and qualified for the 100m Semi-final on Wednesday.

Nigeria also bagged two medals in the women’s Discus event.

Divine Oladipo finished 2nd in the event, earning a Silver medal in her first outing for Nigeria. Obiageri Ameachi joined her on the podium, clinching the Bronze Medal.

The Senior Athletic Championships started on 12 May and will continue until May 17, with Nigerian competing in many categories. (NAN)

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