Umukoro sets Nigerian lead, Godbless enters school record

Nigerian sprinter and 2023 National Junior College Athletic Association 100m outdoor champion, Success Umukoro, is the fastest Nigerian female athlete so far this year after clocking a fast 7.13s on her way to winning the women’s 60m at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic on Saturday, NewsNGR Sports Extra reports.

She produced the fastest time for Nigerian women and her new personal best before running a time of 7.17s to win the final.

In other news, former African U-20 champion, Tima Godbless also ran a time of 7.16s (adjusted for altitude) in her semi-finals at the event to break into the Louisiana State University’s top 10 in the women’s 60m.

Godbless went through the line to win her heat with 7.14s (adjusted to 7.16s for altitude). Her time tied her for ninth on the all-time LSU record with the legend Kimberlyn Duncan.

The 24-year-old Umukoro transferred from South Plains College to team up with Texas Tech in 2024.

In the final of the event, she finished ahead of the University of Illinois’ Asia Thomas (7.24s) and her Texas Tech teammate Brianna Howard (7.30s).

In January, Umukoro had also won women’s 60m in her season opener at the Corky Classic in a time of 7.21s, also setting the Nigerian lead which she has now lowered in the process.

While Umukoro is the fastest Nigerian woman over the distance this year, she is followed by Godbless who did not start in the final on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s record holder in the women’s high jump, Temitope Adeshina was also in action at the meet on Friday, winning her third meet of the year by clearing a height of 1.92m.

She beat African champion, Rose Yeboah who also cleared the same height on countback, with the third place going to Alyssa Jones with 1.86m.