After nine competitive days in Glasgow, Nigeria finished seventh with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze. But beyond the medal haul was the landmark achievement of several Nigerian track and field stars who broke new ground for the country. ABIODUN ADEWALE spotlights them

Samuel Ogazi — Men’s 400m gold

Ogazi made history as the first Nigerian man to win the Commonwealth Games 400m title, storming to a new Games record of 44.25 seconds to secure gold for Nigeria.

The last time a Nigerian athlete won a medal in the men’s 400m at the Commonwealth Games was in 1994, when the late Sunday Bada claimed bronze.

Temitope Adeshina — Women’s high jump

Since breaking the Nigerian record, Adeshina has not looked back, taking over the mantle from her mentor and former Nigerian high jumper Doreen Amata.

In Glasgow, Adeshina became the first Nigerian athlete in 60 years to win a high jump medal, clearing 1.90m to finish third in the women’s event.

Samuel Igun was the first Nigerian to achieve the feat in 1966, when he claimed silver in Kingston, Jamaica.

Ezekiel Nathaniel — Men’s 400m hurdles

After breaking the Nigerian and African records multiple times over the last year, Nathaniel stormed to gold in the men’s 400m hurdles in Glasgow, clocking 48.47 seconds.

His victory made him the first Nigerian man to win Commonwealth Games gold in the event.

He is also the second Nigerian athlete to win a medal in the 400m hurdles in 16 years, since Ajoke Odumosu claimed bronze at the New Delhi Games in 2010.

Chukwuebuka Enekwechi — Men’s shot put

The consistent Enekwechi, who has endured near misses at major global events since he began representing Nigeria, finally had his breakthrough in Glasgow.

He struck gold with a 21.07m throw in the fifth round to clinch the title. He beat Tom Walsh, who threw 21.03m for silver, while Scott Lincoln claimed bronze with 20.99m.

Before Enekwechi, only Vivian Chukwuemeka had won a medal for Nigeria in the Commonwealth Games shot put, claiming gold in 2002 and silver in 2006.

Ella Onojuvwevwo — Women’s 400m

Onojuvwevwo clocked 51.00 seconds to win bronze in the women’s 400m, claiming her first individual senior medal for Nigeria.

She also became the first Nigerian woman to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the event since Fatima Yusuf claimed silver in 1994.

Kayinsola Ajayi — Men’s 100m

Ajayi was tipped for gold but took bronze with pride after finishing third behind African champion Emmanuel Eseme of Cameroon and Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy in the 100m final.

His bronze made him the first Nigerian man to win a medal in the Commonwealth Games 100m since Olusoji Fasuba won silver in 2006.

His achievement also came after he broke Fasuba’s 20-year-old Nigerian 100m record of 9.85 seconds this year, setting a new national record of 9.84 seconds.

Jessica Orji — Women’s shot put

Still relatively new to representing Nigeria at senior level, Orji made her mark in Glasgow by winning silver, becoming only the second Nigerian woman to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the women’s shot put after Vivian Chukwuemeka, who won gold in 2002 and silver in 2006.

Udodi Onwuzurike — Men’s 200m

Onwuzurike powered to a season’s best of 20.09 seconds (+1.7m/s) to win silver in the men’s 200m final in Glasgow.

He finished behind South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile, who took gold in 19.96 seconds.

Onwuzurike’s silver was Nigeria’s first medal in the men’s 200m at the Commonwealth Games since Daniel Effiong won bronze in 1994. (The PUNCH)

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