Bayelsa state athlete, Tima Godbless will be seeking to emulate Grace Nzubechi Nwokocha by successfully completing a sprint double on Thursday when the final of the 200m event at the 21st National Sports Festival takes place at the Stephen Keshi stadium in Asaba.
Godbless won her first national title on Monday when she stormed home first in the 100m event to fulfil expectations almost four months after she scorched to an 11.09 Nigeria U20 record at the World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia.
The 18 year old is favoured to win the 200m final on current form as she is the only athlete in the final line up that has not only dipped inside 24 seconds when she ran 23.42 in Lagos in April but also the only one who, in all conditions has ran a wind-aided 22.99 in the event among her rivals.
If she wins, she will not only move a step up from the silver medal she won (23.65) last year at the 20th edition of the biennial Festival but also emulate Nwokocha who won the 100 and 200m events in 2021.
Tipped to give the Louisiana State University, Texas, USA-bound Godbless a hot chase is Delta state’s teen sensation, Okwose Faith.
The 16 year old won the 100m silver behind Godbless after setting new personal bests, jumping from a 12.04 runner in the blue ribband event just last year to dip inside 12 seconds three times at the ongoing Festival in Asaba.
Another teenager, Sule Adijatu Rejoice from Edo state is also tipped for a podium finish while Asemota Marvellous, the oldest athlete in the line up at 23 years will be seeking to rewrite a new personal best.
