James Godday of Nigeria (© Getty Images)
24 countries were represented at the 3rd edition of the International Meeting in Abuja, which took place yesterday (Mon 23) and which is part of the CAA Super Grand Prix 2008. The 44.90sec run of Nigeria’s James Godday at 400m was the major surprise, while Françoise Mbango Etone’s 14.58m Triple Jump provided the expected mark of quality from the Olympic and African champion.
And a week before the very strong and contested Nigerian Olympics Trials, the host country discovered a new men’s 100m sprint talent.
The Abuja meeting is one of a select group of Area meetings at which points can be acquired by athletes to qualify for the IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final, to be held on 13-14 September in Stuttgart, Germany.
44.90 for Godday
In the men’s 400m, Sudan’s African champion Nagmedin Ali Abubakar had been expected to compete but in the end didn’t travel to Abuja but both his Addis Ababa championship runners-up were present. However, there were mixed fortunes for these two, as Isaac Makwala (BOT) the African silver medallist didn’t finish, while bronze medallist James Godday (NGR) did very well indeed.
The 24-year-old Nigerian won in 44.90 seconds ahead of Saul Weigopwa 45.18 and the four-times African champion from Mauritius Eric Milazar, who finally set the “B” Olympics standard.
“Today is my day,” said Godday. “I really enjoy my race today. I can’t express my joy today, setting up my ever best time in 400m 44.90! I thank God for the strength, the power and energy.”
Godday's 44.99 which he set when winning the 2006 Nigerian championships in Abuja was his previous personal best.
Fasuba defeated by new sprint find
A new 100m star is born in Nigeria. He was ignored in lane one at the start of the race but finished it ahead of African record holder and current African champion Olusoji Fasuba, clocking 10.14 sec for victory (+0.7m/s wind).
His name is Adetoyi Durotoye, a 22-year-old from Kwara State who had a PB of 10.42 (2006) at the start of this season! Before yesterday’s run he had since improved to 10.34 (Kingston, 22 March) and 10.28 (Abuja, 14 June).
”I am very happy,” commented Durotoye. “Actually I’ve just put up my best today. I’ve learnt that anyone must count on himself and today I made it. Most of other athletes are my mentors such as Fasuba, Emedolu and I am trying everyday to do better than them. I am not surprised today to win. It is only a dream that has become reality.”
Fasuba was second in 10.18, with former World Cup winner Emedolu in third (10.22).
Triple Jump goes to Olympic champion as expected
Cameroon’s Françoise Mbango Etone triple jumped 14.58m for pleasure - and won - yesterday as part of her training schedule ahead of her Olympic title defence in Beijing.
“I came here to jump 14.50m and I succeeded,” said Mbango. “I came here only yesterday (22), 14.58 after a long journey is enough at my level of preparation. The Olympics will take place on August. For the moment, I am making tactical and technical races, I am not running after a performance. The most important thing for me in Abuja was to participate. I shall jump in the same spirit at the Lille Meeting (France) in a few days.”
Handed timed 10.8 for women’s 100m
Nigeria’s African champion Damola Osayomi powered away to a hand timed 10.8sec run in the women's 100m with Brazzaville CAA Grand Prix winner Ene Franca Idoko next (11.0) and the African silver medallist Anim Vida (11.3), third.
”I am feeling good, I am in good shape,” confirmed Osayomi. “I am really happy to win here in Nigeria… Looking forwards, I would try to do my best in Olympics. That’s mean to qualify for the finals as I’ve done in Osaka last year so that I honour my country Nigeria. I am preparing for that and after the trials, I’ll go back to USA.”
In the 100m Hurdles, Augustus Toyin beat compatriot Jessica Ohanaja – 13.24 to 13.39 – and was ahead from the fourth hurdle.
The women’s 400m was won by Folashade Abugan (51.36), Vivian Chukwuemeka put 18.15m in the Shot, and Ajoke Odumusu easily took the 400m Hurdles (56.88)
Samuel Okon surprised in the men’s 110m Hurdles (13.84), while 7.89m was the winning leap in the Long Jump for Gable Garenamotse (BOT).
Louisette-Renée Thobi for the IAAF
Results
Men
100m +0.7: 1. Adetoyi Durutoye (NGR) 10.14 ; 2. Olusoji Fasuba (NGR) 10.18 ; 3. Uche Emedolu (NGR) 10.22.
400m : 1. James Godday (NGR) 44.90 ; 2. Saul Weigopopwa (NGR) 45.18; 3. Eric Milazar (MRI) 45.90.
800m : 1. Wagne Abdoulaye (SEN) 1.47.78 ; 2. Joseph Mutua (KEN)1.47.96 ; 3. Francis Matua (KEN)1.48.34.
1500m: 1. Jospephat Kithii (KEN) 3.43.94; 2. Vincent Rono (KEN) 3.44.17; 3. Isaac Kipruto (KEN) 3.44.62.
110mh (0): 1. Samuel Okon (NGR) 13.84 ; 2. Ruan De Vries (RSA) 14.13; 3. Salim Nurudeen(NGR) 14.19.
Long Jump: 1. Gable Garenamotse (BOT) 7.89 (+0.2); 2. Hateen Mersal (UKR) 7.86 (-0.5); 3. Stanley Gbagbeke (NGR) 7.85(+0.4).
Women
100m (HT) : 1. Damola Osayemi (NGR) 10.8; 2. Ene Franca Idoko (NGR) 11.00; 3. Vida Anim (GHA) 11.3.
200m : 1. Gloria Kemasuode (NGR) 22.94; 2. Mani Léonie Myriam (CMR) 23.28; Anim Vida (GHA) 23.38.
400m: 1. Sade Folasade Abugan (NGR) 51.36; 2. Joy Eze (NGR) 51.48; 3. Oluoma Nwoke (NGR) 52.29.
100mH (+0.1): 1. Toyin Augustus (NGR) 13.24; 2. Jessica Ohanaja (NGR) 13.39 ; 3. Fatmata Fofannah (GUI) 13.61.
400mH: 1 Ajoke Odumosu (NGR) 56.88; 2. Carole Kaboud (CMR) 57.49; 3. Claudia Wehrsen (GER) 58.47.
Triple Jump: 1. Françoise Mbango Etone (CMR) 14.58 (+0.1); 2. Foluade Toluwani (USA) 13.68; 3. Johana Trevino (COL) 13.50.
Shot Put: 1. Vivian Chukwuemeka (NGR) 18.15; 2. Magdalena Sobieszek (POL) 17.42; 3. Kelechi Onwuochokwo (NGR) 17.12.
