Ofili, Nathaniel lead Nigerian entries for Lone Star Grand Prix

Nigeria will be represented by a strong contingent of four athletes at the inaugural Lone Star Grand Prix in Texas on Saturday. Among the notable participants are sprint sensation Favour Ofili, the 150m world record holder, and Ezekiel Nathaniel, the African 400m hurdles record holder. Rosemary Chukwuma and Ella Onojuvwevwo, the African indoor 400m record holder, will also compete.

This event is a significant fixture on the USATF Tour, serving as one of two World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meetings in the United States this season. For Favour Ofili, who recently had a nationality switch request denied, the Grand Prix offers a vital platform to gauge her performance against elite international rivals in the women's 200m race. She faces a formidable field including Olympic champion Gabby Thomas and other top sprinters.

Rosemary Chukwuma will contend in a highly competitive women's 100m field, facing competitors like 2023 world 4x100m relay champion Tamari Davis. In the women's 400m, Onojuvwevwo aims to build on her recent African indoor record, competing against strong international talent. Nathaniel opens his season in the men's 400m hurdles against world-class opponents, including world finalist Caleb Dean and 2022 world bronze medallist Trevor Bassitt.

The Lone Star Grand Prix also features other international stars, such as Jamaican sprinter Oblique Seville in the men's 100m, alongside Olympic and world medalists. This gathering of top athletes provides a high-stakes environment for the Nigerian competitors to showcase their abilities on the global stage.