Nigeria’s athlete, Divine Oduduru, on Friday established a new indoor Personal Best (PB) of 20.49s to win the 200m at the Texas Tech Track & Field Red Raider Invitational.
The double event sprinter studying at the Texas Tech College, set his school’s 200-meter indoor record which had previously stood since 1998.
The former National 200m champion quickly closed the gap on Kyle Collins, then caught up with Dedric Dukes on the bend before sprinting away in an emphatic victory. Dukes finished 2nd in 20.89s with Collins 3rd in 21.13s.
Another Nigerian athlete, Omeiza Akerele, finished 4th in the race with a time of 21.89s.
Raymond Ekevwo who at the previous weekend ran a 60m PB of 6.69s, was listed to compete in the 200m heat 3 but he Did Not Start (DNS).
Oduduru’s time was .03s shy of Francis Obikwelu’s 200m Indoor National Record (NR) of 20.46s, which ran in 19 years ago at the Meeting Pas de Calais in France.
Oduduru last weekend, opened his season account at the Corky classic where he ran a time of 6.66s to rank at number 2 in his school’s 60m All-time Record.
The Delta State born athlete is hitting form at the right time and could be the one to beat at the Nigerian Commonwealth trials next month in Abuja.