IAAF London 2017: Okagbare on course for medal

Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor’s hope of making the podium at the ongoing IAAF World Championships, London 2017 is on course as she battles with 11 others in the final of the women’s long jump later tonight.

The Beijing 2008 Olympic bronze medallist in the sem-final jumped 6.51meters to finish second behind Loraraine Ugen of Great Britain who finished tops with 6.63metres.

Okagbare’s first jump was 6.21metres before an improved 6.51metres feat in the second attempt which gave her the ticket as her third attempt was faulty.

The 100m and 200m Commonwealth Games reigning queen dusted Brittney Reese with the second jump of 6.51metres as the American with 6.50metres in her first jump finished third to also qualify having recorded 6.46metres and 6.47metres in her second and final attempt in group B.

Okagbare with a personal best of 7.00metres achieved in 2013 during the Monaco Herculis meet will also contend with Darya Klishina (6.66m); Tianna Bartoletta (6.64m); Ivana Spanovic (6.62m); Lauma Griva (6.58m); Claudia Salman-Rath (6.52m); Chantel Malone (6.52m) and Alina Rotaru (6.50m)) who all qualified from group A for a medal.

The other group B qualifiers were Brooke Stratton and Eliane Martins who both recorded 6.46m as best jump.

It will be recalled that the Delta state-born Okagbare won a silver medal in long jump at Moscow IAAF 2013.

Meanwhile, it was a sad day for Ese Brume who competed in group A as she finished a distant 10th among 15 participants.

The reigning Commonwealth Games gold medallist’s first jump was 6.16metres followed by 6.29metres while her final attempt could only produce 6.38metres.