Okagbare fails in women’s 100m final, George qualifies for 400m semis

Nigeria’s women sprints champion, Blessing Okagbare, on Monday in Beijing, China at the 15th IAAF World Championships finished 8th in the 100 metres final.

It was, however, a different story for teammate Patience George as she qualified for Tuesday’s semi-finals in the women’s 400m, even though two other compatriots failed to advance.

Okagbare, who had earlier in the day in the semi-finals ran 10.89 seconds to place second on from lane four, was on lane 9 and could only clock 11.02 seconds.

She had on Sunday placed first in heat two with 11.07 seconds, and her semi-final showing had raised hopes of a medal prospect, especially as her season best is 10.80 seconds.

In the quarter-mile, George whose season best is 50.76 seconds will compete in heat two on Tuesday from lane 8 after she finished third in heat 5 in 50.87 seconds.

Compatriot Regina George, whose season best was 51.30 seconds and personal best 50.84 seconds, ran in at 51.74 seconds to place fourth in heat 4 and miss out on qualification for the semis.

Tosin Adeloye also failed to qualify from heat 2, after placing fifth with 52.42 seconds, in spite of a season and personal best 51.92 seconds.

The Athletics World Championships which is holding at Beijing’s National Stadium began on Saturday and will end on Sunday. (NAN)