Oduduru, Adegoke set to renew rivalry as Athletics event begins

Divine Oduduru<br />

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Oregon 2022 World Athletics medalist, Ese Brume is set to defend her long jump title as the athletics event begins at the Stephen Keshi stadium tomorrow in the ongoing 21st National Sports festival.

But the biggest event to watch out for is the sprint, where Divine Oduduru and Enoch Adegoke are among top athletes competing. Oduduru, who is staging a comeback to the sport since his last appearance in August 2021 at the Tokyo Olympics, will face a stiff challenge from the likes of Adegoke, who is looking forward to become the first Nigerian athlete to retain the NSF 100m title in the last decade.     Adegoke, A bronze medalist at the 19th edition of the Games held in Abuja in 2018, was the star athlete at the 20th edition held in Benin City, Edo State, where he beat his brother, Alaba Akintola by the narrowest of margins (10.28sec to 10.29sec).   Four months later, Adegoke arrived Tokyo, Japan, as the reigning NSF fastest man to make history as the first Nigerian in 25 years to run in the 100m final at the Olympics. Oduduru, with a Personal Best of 9.86 seconds will be competing for Team Delta while Adegoke is representing Edo state.  

Oduduru has not competed in the 100m event since he was disqualified in one of the first round heats at the Tokyo Olympics in July 2021 and has not competed in any event since he ran 20.16 to place third in the first semifinal of the 200m event at the Tokyo Games in August 2021.

Delta 2022 will provide an answer to the rivalry between the duo. Adegoke is seeking his third medal in three appearances, while Oduduru is seeking his first as he makes his debut in the 100m in the competition.

Mea