Nigeria Misses Mixed 4×100m Relay as Visa Issues Disrupt Ultimate Championship Start
Team Nigeria will not compete in the mixed 4×100m relay at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest after the country’s entry was not confirmed during the final registration process.
Nigeria had secured automatic qualification for the mixed 4×100m relay through its performance at the World Relays in Botswana, raising expectations of an appearance in the opening-day programme.
However, the team was left out of the final start list after its entry was not confirmed during Thursday’s final entries.
Visa-related challenges involving key members of the relay pool, including Miracle Ezechukwu and Rosemary Nwankwo, reportedly contributed to the disruption of the team’s preparations.
The development means Nigeria’s participation in Budapest will begin without the mixed relay, despite the country having earned qualification on the track.
Amusan, Onojuvwevwo Lead Nigeria’s Opening-Day Charge
With the relay opportunity gone, attention now turns to Nigeria’s individual competitors, led by world champion Tobi Amusan and rising 400m star Ella Onojuvwevwo.
Onojuvwevwo is scheduled to compete in the women’s 400m semi-final, while Amusan will begin her campaign in the women’s 100m hurdles semi-final.
Amusan is also listed for the hurdles final later in the evening, subject to her qualification from the semi-final.
Nigeria’s Day 1 Schedule
Women’s 400m – Semi-final
Ella Onojuvwevwo — 7:38pm
Women’s 100m Hurdles – Semi-final
Tobi Amusan — 8:11pm
Women’s 100m Hurdles – Final
Tobi Amusan* — 9:20pm
*Subject to qualification from the semi-final.
Nigeria will also have Kanyinsola Ajayi, Udodi Onwuzurike and Ezekiel Nathaniel in action during the championship, as the country looks to recover from the disappointment of missing the mixed relay.
The Ultimate Championship, being staged in Budapest, brings together some of the leading names in world athletics for a three-day competition, with Nigeria aiming to make its presence felt in the individual events.
Nigeria’s absence from the mixed relay is a disappointing start, particularly after securing automatic qualification in Botswana.
The focus now shifts to the individual events, where Amusan and Onojuvwevwo will lead the country’s opening-day challenge in Budapest.
Meanwhile, Team USA are the first champions of the World Ultimate Championships, running a National Record of 39.64s to win the Mixed 4x100m title.
USA ran a strong race from the outside to hold off Jamaica and claimed the win.
