Ojokolo claims Thessaloniki race

THE Nigerian women champion Endurance Ojokolo, Sunday won the Thessaloniki 2005 Grand Prix 11 race in a relative weak team crowded by Greek sprinters at 11.62 with another African, Senegal’s Aida Diop, coming behind her in 11.68. Alexandrou Panayiota, of Greece was third in 11.75.

Diop also came second over 200M in 23.39. Ojokolo’s winning time although slower than her 11.29 win in Abuja penultimate week, confirms her pursuit of a dream medal at next August 10th IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Helsinki, Finland. The Nigerian champion had said in a post race interview in Abuja that she would build up for the Helsinki meet, with her eyes focused on the women’s crown. “Look around you, there are not many fantastic times this season, so I believe Helsinki is still open for all. I cannot rule myself out it just yet,” she said. The Thessaloniki 2005 meet also saw the Nigerian men’s champion Uchenna Emedolu, 10.19 coming behind leader Trinidadian Darrel Brown, 10.14. Emedolu won the Nigerian championships in 10.13secs. Emedolu also came in third in 200M in a time of 20.55. Williams Christopher, of Jamaica won in 20.51 while Brown Omar, also of Jamaica came in second at 20.51. Earlier Saturday, the Sydney 2000 Olympics silver medalist Glory Alozie, who now wears the Spanish colours also finished second at the Meeting de Madrid 2005 Super Grand Prix. She clocked 11.44, with Jamaican Aleen Bailey, claiming the title in 11.39. By Jo Benson