Oduduru’s last historic performance came in 2019 when he ran 9.86 in the 100m and 19.73 in the 200m on the same day to successfully complete a sprint double at the NCAA championships in Austin, Texas, USA.
By Uzor Odigbo
Divine Oduduru’s much-expected return to the track after almost 16 months out was truncated after the Nigeria 200m record holder (19.73) pulled out of the half-lap event which will crown a new National Sports Festival champion on Thursday at the Stephen Keshi stadium in Asaba, Delta state.
Oduduru had made Nigerians impatient for his return when he posted on his Facebook page last month that his return to the track will be explosive.
Two-time Nigeria 200m and three-time NCAA champion has been off the track and field radar since August 3, 2021, when he ran 20.16 to place third in the first semifinal of the 200m event at the delayed Tokyo Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
‘My comeback will be historic. Put your ears down so you can help me share the testimony,’ wrote the Nigeria 200m record holder on his Facebook page.
The comeback was aborted and the 26-year-old said he pulled out of the race without giving any reason but went philosophical on his Facebook page.
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‘It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light,’ he wrote a few days after he complained about hatred without giving any reason.
Oduduru’s last historic performance came in 2019 when he ran 9.86 in the 100m and 19.73 in the 200m on the same day to successfully complete a sprint double at the NCAA championships in Austin, Texas, USA.
Meanwhile, a new champion will emerge in the 200m event to succeed Alaba Akintola who won at the 20th edition of the Festival last year in Benin city, Edo state