Emedolu, Ojokolo win Nigerian Championship

UCHENNA Emedolu, IAAF World Cup champion in 2002 finally ended his drought at the Nigerian Championships when he raced to a time of 10.13secs to win the 2005 NNPC/Mobil T&F Championships which ended Saturday at the Abuja National Stadium beating off stiff challenges from favourites Adetokunboh Olusoji Fasuba and Deji Aliu, to claim the men’s 100 metres title.

The women’s event however saw Endurance Ojokolo, fans favourite upstage Mercy Nku, yet again for another title as she clocked 11.29secs. Nku came in second with 11.42 just to edge out Auustralia based Gloria Kemeasuade, 11.45.

Emedolu was not always favoured for the title, but had a quick start off the blocks and maintain a steady balance in the sleepy tracks following an unusual rains that started mid morning and didn’t stop late into the evening when the race was run.

The duo of Fasuba, 10.16 and Aliu, 10.28 appear to be ahead briefly, but by the 70 metres mark, Emedolu who says he has his eyes focused on the IAAF World Championships in Helsinki next August, moved slightly ahead of the pack and remained steady to the finish with a head brace in just 10.13secs.

Emedolu who was emotional after the race said it was a "memorable day." "For me, today is a very memorable occasion. I’ve looked forward to this day when I would win the Mobil title. Today, that expectation has been fulfilled. But beyond this championship, my heart is focused also on the World Championships in Helsinki, because that where the main race is this year. I would want to have a very good shot at the World title," he said.

Not scared of current of form of Jamaican World record holder Asafa Powell and Justin Gatlin, of the United States, Emedolu said: "I’m quiet aware of their present forms, but as you know, anything can happen once we get on the start block."

Like Emedolu, Ojokolo also believes she has a date with history in Helsinki.

"I’m looking forward to a good outing in Helsinki, because right now, I’m psychologically prepared for the World Championships. I’ve suffered injury for so long and now, I am relieved to run and I just pray I’ll remain injury free for the rest of the season," Ojokolo said.

Looking at the women field in the world, the Nigerian champions said: "I don’t see any dominant woman on the tracks right now that you can say she is sure for the title. So, everybody will be going there to try and claim the title.

The championships were also used as trial competition for Nigerian officials to select athletes for next August's IAAF World Championships in Helsinki, Finland.

Results:

1,500m (women): Grace Ebor - 4:21.98; Tawa Adedigba - 4:29.72; Fadere Funke - 4:37.79. (Men): Michael Haruna - 4:00.81; Stanley Ojobabasi - 4:01.08; Pam Dung Issa - 4:02.25.

100mh: 1) Joy Digha - 13.87, 2) Funmi Ogundana - 13.90, 3) Rebecca Okitikpi - 14.27

100m (women): Endurance Ojokolo - 11.29; Mercy Nku - 11.42; Gloria Kemeasuade - 11.45; Damola Osayemi - 11.57 (men): Uchenna Emedolu - 10.13; Soji Fasuba - 10.16; Deji Aliu - 10.28; Aaron Engbele - 10.44; Chinedu Orialla - 10.44.

400m (Men): Goddy James - 45.64; Musa Audu - 46.08; Saul Weigopwa - 46.16; Bola Lawal 46.39. (Women): Christy Ekpubroh - 52.76; Bisi Afolabi - 52.87; Sekinat Adesanya - 53.21; Catherine Obilor - 53.56.

By Jo Benson