By Victor Kanayo
Three Nigerians are now in the semi-final of the ongoing 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
They are Kanyinsola Ajayi, Favour Ashe and Rosemary Chukwuma.
This as Chukwuebuka Enekwechi became the first Nigerian to reach the final of any event.
Enekwechi clinched his ticket to the final of the men’s shot put after throwing a distance of 21.13m to finish fifth in Group B of the qualification and ninth overall.
The qualifying throw was Enekwechi’s first, failing to throw further in his second throw at 21.00m, while his third throw was a foul.
In the men’s 100m race, Ajayi qualified for the semi-final after winning his heat on Saturday.
Ajayi won Heat 5 in 10.02s ahead of reigning Olympics champion Marcel Jacobs who was second in 10.05. Ghana’s Abdul-Rasheed Saminu was third in 10.06s.
Nigeria’s other representative, Ashe, qualified as the last of the fastest non-qualifier after finishing fourth in his heat in a time of 10.16s in Heat 4.
For the Women’s 100m, Rosemary finished third in her heat to qualify for the semi-final but another Nigerian Tima Godbless, was not as fortunate, failing to qualify after placing a disappointing sixth in her heat.
While the Women’s semi-final takes place on Saturday, that of men is scheduled on Sunday, August 4, 2024.
Meanwhile, Joshua Cheptegie Of Uganda breasted the tape to win the Men’s 10000 metres gold.
The World record holder and world champion stopped the time at 26.43.14 to set a new Olympic Record, a performance that threw Kampala and Ugandan cities into jubilation.
