Nigeria’s hopes for a medal at the upcoming World Indoor Championships in Glasgow have taken a hit as Tobi Amusan, the African Record holder in the 60m Hurdles, has pulled out of the competition.
This leaves Ese Brume as the country’s primary contender for a podium finish, with Ruth Usoro also missing from the entry list.
Amusan’s withdrawal means she will not have the opportunity to make history by adding another world medal to her accolades. The talented hurdler began the indoor season on a high note, breaking Glory Alozie’s women’s 60m Hurdles African Record with a time of 7.77s. However, despite her strong performances, she will not be competing in Glasgow.
Her absence is a blow to Nigeria’s chances of securing a medal at the championship. Amusan had been considered one of the major contenders for a podium finish, and her exclusion from the World Athletics entered list confirms her absence from the event.
Had she competed, Amusan would have aimed to become Nigeria’s first world indoor and outdoor champion. Additionally, she would have had the opportunity to become only the third Nigerian woman, after Alozie and Ese Brume, to win a medal at the world indoor championship.
With Amusan out, the spotlight now falls on Ese Brume, Nigeria’s long jump sensation, who won silver at the 2022 edition of the championship in Belgrade. Brume will be looking to upgrade her silver to gold and claim her first world title.
The Nigerian contingent heading to Glasgow also includes Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the Men’s Shot Put, Edosie Ibadin in the Men’s 800m, Dubem Nwachukwu in the Men’s 400m, and a Men’s 4x400m relay team comprising Sikiru Adeyemi, Chidi Okezie, Nwachukwu, and Ibadin. Notably missing from the list is Ruth Usoro, who ranks fifth on the world top list in the women’s long jump with a distance of 6.87m.
Despite the setbacks, Nigeria will be hoping for a strong showing from its athletes as they compete against some of the world’s best in Glasgow.
