U.S.-based speed star, Onwuzurike hits Benin

Nigeria’s Udodi Onwuzurike, who was one of the stars of the Nairobi 2021 World U20 Championships, is a product of United States of America’s school sports

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For the first time in his career, United States-based speed star, Udodi Onwuzurike, will compete in Nigeria, as he joins other top stars to battle for ticket to represent the country in this year’s World Senior Athletics Championship in Oregon, U.S., and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

Last year in Nairobi, Kenya, Onwuzurike represented Nigeria for the first time at the World U20 Championship, where he grabbed a gold medal in 200m, setting a new Personal Best of 20.21s in the process. His gold in the 200m was Nigeria’s second since Francis Obikwelu won it in 1996.

Now, Onwuzurike is heading to Benin City, venue of the national trials, to prove his worth as one of Africa’s rising stars to watch at the World Senior Athletics Championship in Oregon and Commonwealth Games in England.

Speaking with The Guardian yesterday while on transit in San Francisco, on his way to Lagos, his father and coach, Chris Onwuzurike, stated his son’s mission to Benin City is to secure a ticket to both the World Championship and the Commonwealth Games.

“This will be the first time Udodi will compete in Nigeria,” he said. “But I do bring him home every other year during Christmas festivities since he was six years old.”

Udodi turned 19 this year, but according to his father, he will not be competing in this year’s World U20 Championship holding in Cali, Colombia from August 2 to 6.

“His focus for now is to fly Nigeria’s flag at the World Senior Athletics Championship in Oregon, and the Commonwealth Games in