Okezie ready for African Championships in Ghana

Chidi Okezie, the reigning African Games 400m champion, is setting his sights on further glory as he prepares to compete at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana. The upcoming event holds particular significance for the 32-year-old Nigerian athlete, as it was on Ghanaian soil that he secured his first individual senior gold medal at the 2024 African Games. Okezie's recent form has been impressive, including helping Nigeria qualify for the mixed 4x400m relay at the World Championships and setting a new personal best of 32.05s in the 300m. Despite the pressure of being a defending champion, Okezie expresses a calm confidence, stating, "No pressure, just opportunities." He believes that the increased competition and the rising standards among Nigerian quarter-milers, exemplified by his teammate Samuel Ogazi's new national record, will push everyone to achieve even greater results. The sentiment within the Nigerian athletics camp is one of collective ambition, with Okezie emphasizing, "Records on records. Everybody is stepping up, so we are ready."

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No pressure, just opportunities. Yes, there will be a target on my back because I won the last time, but I think I excel when the pressure is on