28 Nigerian athletes make top 100 in World Athletics event ranking

As many as 28 Nigerian athletes made the latest World Athletics event ranking released last Wednesday.

The athletes, made up of 11 men and 17 women are considered among the best 100 in their respective event with six of them making the top 20 in their respective event and 15 ranked in the top 50.

Reigning World 100m hurdles champion and record holder, Tobi Amusan tops the list as she is ranked the best in the high hurdles and fifth in the overall women’s ranking.

She is followed by World Athletics Championships’ long jump silver medalist, Ese Brume who is ranked third in her event and 61st in the overall women’s ranking.

Sprinter Favour Ofili and Shot Putter, Chukwuebuka Enekewchi are ranked 14th in their respective event viz the 200m and Shot Put.

Nigeria’s triple jump record holder, Ruth Usoro also made the top 20 ranking. She is rated as the 19th best in the long jump and 20th best in the triple jump.

Reigning Commonwealth Games Discus Throw champion, Chioma Onyekwere completes the list of the top 20 ranked Nigerian athletes. She is ranked the 16th best in the event where she made history as the first Nigerian winner at the Commonwealth Games.

As many as five Nigerian sprinters made the top 100m list with Rosemary Chukwuma the highest ranked (39), followed by Grace Nwokocha (40), Ofili (49), Tima Godbless (63) and Ezinne Abba (83).

Four made it in the 200m with Ofili ranked the highest (140 while only Patience Okon-George made the 400m top 100 (87).

Temitope Adeshina (84) is ranked in the high jump while four made the Discus throw ranking headed by Onyekwere. Others are Obiageri Pamela Amaechi (450, Ashley Anumba (720 and Princess Kara (79).

Oyesade Olatoye is ranked the 56th best in the hammer throw.

Reigning Nigerian 100m king, Favour Ashe is the highest ranked sprinter (25) and he is followed by Udodi Onwuzurike, the former World U20 champion who is ranked the 26th best in the 200m.

New Nigerian record holders, Ezekiel Nathaniel and Nnamdi Prosper Chinecherem also made the top 100 list with the former ranking 49th in the 400m hurdles and the latter 41st in the Javelin.