The 19th World Athletics Championships kick off today (Saturday) in Budapest, Hungary, and Nigeria’s 4×400 mixed relay team finds itself in a challenging group alongside tough opponents like Jamaica, Poland, and the Netherlands, News About Nigeria reports.
The qualifying heat started around 11:16 AM, placing Team Nigeria in a position where they must deliver an outstanding performance to outpace their competitors in Group B. Joining them in this group are Switzerland, France, Czech Republic and Germany.
Group A, on the other hand, will see Portugal, Ireland, Belgium, Kenya, Italy, Great Britain, Dominican Republic, Hungary and the United States vying for victory.
In the previous World Championships held in Eugene, Oregon, USA and Nigeria’s 4x400m mixed relay team narrowly missed a podium finish.
They secured the sixth position and shared an $8,000 prize, part of the $8.4 million prize fund offered at the 18th World Athletics Championships.
During that event, the Nigerian quartet, consisting of Imaobong Nse Uko, Nathaniel Samson, Dubem Amene and Patience Okon-George, made history by becoming the first 4×400 mixed relay team to reach the final of a global championship. Amene and Okon-George ran the fastest legs during this historic run.
The same group of athletes will represent Nigeria in Budapest, and Samuel Onikeku, the Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), expresses confidence in their ability to qualify for the final.
“I am confident our team will qualify for the final because the athletes have worked hard for this championship,” stated Onikeku.
While the championship unfolds, Nigerians back at home and abroad keep eyes on Team Nigeria as they strive to secure a spot in the competitive tournament, hoping they reach the final and potentially make history once again.
