Moscow 2013: Okagbare Ends Nigeria’s 14-year Wait for Medal

After ending Nigeria’s 14-year wait for a World Championship medal of any colour Sunday in Moscow, Blessing Okagbare who won the silver medal of the women’s long jump with 6.99m thanked God for using her to end the long wait.

The Delta State-born athlete narrowly lost the gold to American Britney Reese who jumped 7.01m to add the IAAF World Championship silverware to the gold she won at the London Olympic Games last year.

“I feel very happy to have been used by God to end our (Nigeria) long wait for a World Championships medal. Today, I stayed focused on my jumps and was determined to take something back home from this competition,” gushed the African record holder in the 100m.

The 6.99m that fetched Okagbare the precious silver came from her second jump after opening her campaign with a 6.89m that was equally good enough to get her the second position. Reese’s first jump was a poor 6.50m but followed up with the 7.01m. Three of her last four attempts were no-jumps.

Serbian girl, Ivana Spanovic, won the bronze medal on count-back after Volha Sudarava of Belarus equaled the 6.82m she had earlier posted.

Okagbare told THISDAY at the mixed –zone of the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow that the long jump event was a more difficult sport than the sprint as any slip could cause a jumper all he or she had worked for ahead of the competition.

“Long jump is all about getting one’s rhythm right. One slip of bad landing is capable of ending all that a jumper has prepared for,” said the University of Texas in El Paso graduate.

Okagbare admitted that Reese who had world lead of 7.25m to the Moscow 2013 championships deserves plaudits for winning the gold medal here.

“It was a good competition. Britney (Reese) deserves the medal while I am equally happy for my medal,” she noted.

Asked to predict what to expect from her in Monday’s semi final and final of the 100m event, Okagbare as usual, refused to be drawn into debate.

“I am just looking forward to a good race tomorrow (Monday). Let’s wait till then to know what may come my way,” stressed the Sapele-born African champion.

Before the long jump event, Okagbare had posted 11.03secs to win one of the heats of the 100m. she effortlessly strolled to the finish line ahead of Brazilian Ana Claudia Silva (11.08) and Schilonie Calvert (11.20) of Jamaica.

Another Nigerian girl, Gloria Asumnu (11.27) placed third behind Olympic champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (11.15) and Franciela Krasucki (11.17) of Brazil.

The third Nigerian in the sprint, Stephanie Kalu was dismal in the 11.67 she clocked to place fifth in the heat won by defending champion, Carmelita Jeter.

In the quarter mile, both Omolara Omotosho and Regina George failed to progress to the final of the women’s 400m final slated for this evening. George placed third behind defending champion, Amantle Montsho (49.56) of Botswana and home girl, Kseniya Ryzhova (50.48).

The personal best of 50.84 recorded by George was not good enough to take her to the final.

Ajoke Odumosu will begin her campaign for a place in the final of the barrier quarter mile this evening but she stands no chance of podium placement.

There were fears in Nigerian camp Sunday night that Odumosu may not be able to give her best as a result of the recurring injury she coped at the London leg of the 2013 IAAF Diamond League early this year. Also competing in the event is Ugonna Ndu.