Amusan missing as Nigeria reveals contingent for World Athletics Championships

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria has unveiled the lineup of 26 athletes set to compete at the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, taking place from August 19 to 27.

Leading the roster is Ese Brume, who has won medals in the last two editions of the World Championships.

The selection also includes national champion Usheoritse Itsekiri, along with Favour Ashe and Seye Ogunlewe, who will participate in the men’s 100m sprint.

Alaba Akintola will represent Nigeria in the men’s 200m, while Dubem Nwachukwu and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi are set to showcase their talents in the men’s 400m and shot put, respectively.

Fakorede Adekalu and Karlington Anunagba will join forces with Itsekiri, Ashe, Ogunlewe, and Akinola to form Nigeria’s men’s 4x100m relay team.

For the mixed 4x400m relay, Nigeria will present a team comprising Chidi Okezie, Dubem Nwachukwu, Samuel Ogazi, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Patience Okon-George, Imaobong Uko Nse, and Ella Onojuvwevwo.

In the women’s events, Rosemary Chukwuma and Favour Ofili will be the representatives in the 100m and 200m races, respectively.

Uko Nse will be Nigeria’s sole contender in the women’s 400m, while Ruth Usoro will join Brume in the women’s long jump.

The women’s discus event will feature Pamela Amaechi Obiageri, Ashley Anumba, and Chioma Onyekwere, while Sade Olatoye will compete in the women’s hammer throw.

Nigeria’s women’s 4x100m relay team includes Chukwuma, Ofili, Justina Eyakpobeyan, Faith Okwose, and Success Umukoro.

Notably absent from the lineup is reigning World Champion and World Record Holder in the women’s 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan. Amusan has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit following allegations of missing three drug tests within a period of 12 months.

Despite her suspension, Amusan has maintained her innocence and awaits the outcome of her appeal, which is expected to be announced prior to the start of the competition.

Two athletes who had achieved qualifying times, Godson Brume and Udodi Onwuzurike, will also not be part of the team. Brume cited injury as the reason for his withdrawal, while Onwuzurike sustained an injury while competing for the Nigerian relay team during qualification.

With the uncertainty surrounding Amusan’s situation, the spotlight will shine on Ese Brume, 27, who secured a bronze medal at the 2019 World Championships in Qatar and a silver medal at the 2021 World Championships in Eugene, USA.