U.S based Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili has overtaken her friend, compatriot and training partner, Rosemary Chukwuma to now emerge as Africa’s fastest 200m runner.
Ofili clocked a new season’s best of 22.15 seconds at the USATF Lone Star Grand Prix, a World Athletics Continental Gold Tour event in Texas, USA.
Another Nigerian, Ella Onojuvwevwo, also announced herself as a major contender on the global stage with a breathtaking victory in the women’s 400 metres at the USATF Lone Star Grand Prix, clocking a sensational personal best of 49.47 seconds.
Ofili’s performance was a significant improvement on the 22.46 she ran earlier in Gainesville, Florida. Her time moves her to the top of the African half-lap list, ahead of Chukwuma’s 22.42 set in April at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Ofili, who is expected to run for Nigeria at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after her move to compete for Turkey was blocked by World Athletics earlier this year, remains the only Nigerian woman to have broken the 22-second barrier over 200m, with her lifetime best of 21.96 set in 2022.
Meanwhile, reigning Olympic champion Gabby Thomas blasted a new world lead of 21.70 seconds to win the women’s 200m at the USTF Lone Star Grand Prix, while Camryn Rogers extended her winning streak in the women’s hammer.
Thomas ran faster than her Olympic-winning performance of 21.83 at Paris 2024, and just 0.10 shy of the personal best she set in 2023.
The three-time gold medallist finished comfortably ahead of her nearest challengers in College Station, Texas, with her compatriot Kayla White coming second in 22.07, and Nigeria’s Favour Ofili third in 22.15.
Thomas surpassed the former 2026 world best of 21.86, set by reigning Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred of St. Lucia, in Austin, Texas, in April.
(The Whistler)
