Nigeria's athletics stars eye historic gold at Islamic Solidarity Games

As track and field events at the Islamic Solidarity Games heads into the final stages, Nigeria's hopes for a first gold medal now rests on the shoulders of key athletes and relay teams.

Chidera Ezeakor (men's 200m), Samuel Adams Kure (javelin), Ezekiel Asuquo (men's 400m), Patience George (women's 400m), the men's and women's 4x100m relay squads, are in contention to make history for the nation.

In the men's 200m final, 20-year-old Ezeakor will start from lane four, aiming to deliver Nigeria's breakthrough gold. He qualified with a personal best of 20.72 seconds but faces a formidable opponent in reigning African Games 100m champion Emmanuel Eseme, who has a season's best of 20.23 seconds.

The men's 400m will see Badmus and Asuquo compete for glory against a strong field that includes Bamidele Emmanuel, an athlete of Nigerian heritage competing for another nation. In the women's equivalent, George faces a monumental challenge against Bahrain's Salwa Eid Naser, a former world 400m champion and Olympic medalist with a sub-49-second personal best.

Samuel Adams Kure will also be chasing a historic medal in the javelin. His season's best of 76.79m places him among the contenders, but he must outperform a world-class field. This includes reigning Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan, who has thrown 86.40m this year, his compatriot Muhammad Yasir (77.43m), and Uzbekistan's Sarvar Ismoilov (74.24m).

Nigerian athletes have won two silver medals so far, delivered by Obiageri Amaechi (women's Discus throw) and Sade Olatoye (women's hammer throw).

After 15 days of competition, Nigeria's overall medal count stands at 18, consisting of six golds (all from weightlifting), eight silvers, and four bronzes.