By Uzor Odigbo
Nigeria’s emerging sprint force in male and female events, Enoch Adegoke and Grace Nwakocha, have expressed optimistism for an improved performance during the current AFN Classics ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Nwakocha (11.38) and Adegoke were winners in Akure All Comers competition and Ado Ekiti Classics (10.50s) in the 100m events to the admiration of spectators.
For Adegoke, hard work, being focused and determination are the ingerdents for improved performance during current season.
“I had injuries last year which hindered me from competing at the African Games in Rabat, Morocco, I only had a chance to participate in the relays at the World Athletics Championship in Doha. It was a disappointing year for me. This time around being an Olympic year, I’m ready and optimistic that my performances will improve with on going AFN Classics”
The 10.3s runner assures that with determination and sustained competitions, he has no options than to hit the tracks to improve his time in the current season.
“My aim is to participate at the Olympics for the first time, make an impact and not just going there. The Nigeria athletics contingent I believe would be ready for the Olympics. Relays had given Nigeria medals in the past and hope it won’t stop this time around’.
Nwakocha insisted that this a new dawn for her and would take every opportunity with two hands.
“All I have to do now is to continue to work harder 7 with my coach guiding me. My current effort on the tracks was a call for more hard work as lots of athletes are eagerly pushing to make the Olympic standard. I’m hoping that with sustained competitions and injury free season, I won’t disappoint myself.”
Recalled that Nwakocha and Adegoke won the best athlete of the Ekiti Classics while Nwakocha came tops as the overall best performing athletes in Ado Ekiti. They got cash rewards.
