At the ongoing International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) meeting taking place in Beijing, Okagbare had been one of the favourites for the women's 100 metres race. However, her form appeared to have deserted her at the tournament as she is not living up to her expectation and showing the form that made her Commonwealth champion last year.
In her heat Okagbare with ease and then came second in her semi final with a time of 10.89 seconds behind Jamaican and title holder, Shelley-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who ran 10.82secs. In yesterday's final, however, Okagbare started slowly and then struggled to catch up with the rest of the field, resulting in a disappointing eighth place finish with a time of 11.02 seconds.
She added that she will now focus on the 200 metres, which will not feature Fraser-Pryce and is hoping to win her first gold medal at her sixth world championships. Nigeria is yet to ever win a gold medal at an IAAF world championship and Okagbare is hoping the first Nigerian to achieve this feat.
Okagbare said: “You work hard, train hard, put your best foot forward and go out there to proudly represent your country. Sometimes it all comes together for you and on other days like today, it doesn’t.”
“I feel sad that I let you down. I will regroup and get ready for the 200m, which starts on Wednesday but I thank you all for standing by me.”
After the 100 metres, Team Nigeria’s hope of a medal suffered another blow as only one of the country’s athletes in the women’s 400 metres qualified for the semi-finals. Patience George came third in 50.87seconds in one of the heats to qualify for today's semi-finals but Regina George and Tosin Adeloye, placed fourth and fifth with a time of 51.74 and 52.42 seconds in their heats respectively.
Amaka Ogoegbunam came last in the heat of the women’s 400 metres hurdles yesterday with a disappointing time of 58.16 seconds. Later today, Tega Odele will be competing in the heats of the men’s 200 metres.
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