Sensational Blessing Okagbare who finished the 100m final race in 10.85 seconds at the on-going 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, has added the third gold to Team Nigeria’s medal gallery.
The Beijing 2008 Olympic bronze medallist, who ran 10.93 seconds in the semi-final dusted Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown who returned in a time of 11.03 seconds and Jamaican Kerron Stewart, who finished in 11.07 seconds to clinch her first gold medal of the Commonwealth Games.
Compatriot Gloria Asumnu however, finished last in the race with a time of 11.41 seconds.
Okagbare went on a lap of honour after the race with Nigeria’s flag amid cheers from the enthusiastic crowd.
Her victory brought some respite to the officials of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) in particular after three of its runners had earlier in the day in the women’s 400m failed to move to the final which holds tonight.
An elated Okagbare, after her heroics told BBC Sport: “I am so excited right now! A new season’s best and win. I’m happy I was able to put on a show. I executed it and stayed patient like my coach said I should and after 70 metres it just felt easy! I still have the 200m and the long jump and I’m looking forward to both of those events now.” BBC
