AFN Trials: Tobi Amusan’s Record Bid Foiled By Faulty Electronic Timer

Tobi Amusan eased to victory in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Athletics Federation of Nigeria Olympics Trials at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos on Friday but a faulty electronic timer meant her race-winning time went unrecorded.

Unofficial clocks put her mark at 12.3s which would have obliterated Olympic silver medallist Gloria Alozie’s 23-year-old African record of 12.44s which she set in 1998. But Amusan’s record-beating time will go unacknowledged by World Athletics which only recognises time recorded by the official electronic timer.

It marred what would have been another record-breaking day at the meet after Blessing Okagbare set a wind-assisted world-leading time in the women’s 100m on Thursday.

There are suggestions the women’s 100m hurdles might be restaged on Saturday but the AFN has yet to confirm the reports.

Miracle Thompson finished behind Amusan in 13.1secs while Favour Ezewuzie claimed third place in a time of 13.5secs.

Oyeniyi Abejoye won the men’s 100m hurdles 13.83secs, while Alex Al-Ameen and Musa Wisdom placed second and third respectively in 13.99secs and 14.10secs.

In the men’s 200m, Making of Champions Jerry Japka clocked 20.80s to finish ahead of Gafaru Audu and Adekalu Fakorede who were second and third respectively. Grace Nwokocha triumphed in the women’s 200m in a time of 22.87s ahead of Tina Godbless and Olayinka Olajide in second and third places respectively.

Chidi Okezie took the men’s 400m title in a time of 46.18s, while Patience Okon-George won the women’s 400m in 52.24s.

Michael Edwards won the men’s high jump with a jump of 2.20m, Sade Oyesade won the women’s shot put event with a throw of 17.52m and Pius Nzube won the men’s Triple Jump, leaping a mark of 15.92m to finish ahead of Blessing Oluwayemi (15.75m) and Monday Godwin (15.67m).