Medal hopefuls for Nigeria at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest

Ese Brume

Medal hopefuls for Nigeria at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest

Funmilayo Fameso 19:56 - 16.08.2023

Based on Nigerian atheletes chances of medaling and consistency this season, here are the best medal hopefuls at the World Championships in Budapest.

The World Championships in Budapest is the most anticipated athletics meet of the year, featuring the world's best athletes competing from August 19th - 27th for the prize of becoming world champions.

Nigeria isn't left out on this quest, as the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) will send a 26-member team comprising 11 male and 15 female athletes, expected to don the country's colours proudly in the Hungarian capital.

In the absence of Tobi Amusan, pending her alleged missing test case with the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), the remaining athletes will be gunning for moments in history by aiming for podium placements.

Based on their chances of medalling and consistency this season, here are Nigeria's best medal hopefuls in Budapest.

1 - Ese Brume

Known as Nigeria's queen of the long jump, Brume will be making her fourth straight appearance at the championship since her debut at the 2017 London Championships.

Ese Brume tops as Nigeria's best chance for a medal in Budapest
Ese Brume (right) has won a medal at every World Championships since 2019

Brume's moment of history will be securing the gold medal after winning bronze in 2019 and silver last year in Oregon.

The African Record holder at 7.17m produces her best performances when it matters most, and if she's able to rise to the occasion by striking gold in Budapest, she will become the first Nigerian field eventer and the second Nigerian overall to win a world outdoor title.

A gold medal will also mean she is the first Nigerian to win all three categories of medals; while securing any colour of podium placement will see her become the first Nigerian to medal at three straight World Championships.

2 - Mixed 4x400m relays

Nigeria's representatives in the mixed 4x400m is a blend of youth and experience, comprising Patience Okon-George and Chidi Okezie as the veterans, while Imaobong Uko, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Dubem Nwanchukwu, and Ella Onojuvwevwo are the youngsters entered by AFN.

Chidi Okezie will lead Nigeria's quartermilers in the mixed 4x400m

Last year in Oregon, the mixed relay team got to the final and finished fifth. With faster legs in the team, they'll be targeting winning a medal and putting their names as World Championships medallists.

3 - Tobi Amusan

If cleared to compete in Budapest, Amusan is the country's surest bet for a medal. She'll be gunning to defend her world title and perhaps lower her World Record of 12.12s in the women's 100m Hurdles.

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