World Women’s 100m hurdles champion and record-holder, Tobi Amusan, will likely be representing Nigeria at the forthcoming World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Recall that on Tuesday, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) released a list of 26 athletes, who will be representing Nigeria at the world championship which holds from August 19 to 27, 2023.
However, while Silver medalist at last year’s championships, Ese Brume, made the list which comprised 11 male and 15 female athletes, Tobi Abusan’s name was conspicuously missing.
In a new development on Thursday, August 10, 2023, Amusan’s name has been included by the World body.
This was revealed by a sport journalist, Latifat Adebayo-Ohio, in a post made on ‘X’, saying; “Tobi Amusan officially listed by World Athletics. OMG! The best news this week. Can’t but wish her the best of luck with her appeal.”
Amusan’s participation at the competition had been uncertain after she was provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit for missing three drug tests this season.
While the AIU also stated that there would be a hearing on her case before the World Championships, she also vowed to fight the charges and prove her innocence, but nothing has been heard about the proceedings, with just nine days to the championships.
Meanwhile, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria also removed US-based sprinter, Udodi Onwuzurike, and Godson Brume, from the Nigerian contigent list.
Brume had pulled out of the championships three days ago, citing medical issues, while Onwuzurike failed to recover in time from the injury he sustained at the NCAA outdoor championships in the United States.
The AFN has replaced them with the pair of Nicholas Fakorode and Kalington Anunagba.
World silver medalist and long jumper, Ese Brume. US-based Itshekiri Usheoritshe, Favour Ashe and Alaba Akintola also made the list.
Others are Seye Ogunlewe, Nathaniel Ezekiel, Nathaniel Samson, Dubem Nwachukwu, Chidi Okezie, Samuel Ogazi and shot putter, Enekwechi Chukwuebuka.
On the women’s list to Budapest are Rosemary Chukwuma, Ofili Favour, Faith Okwose, Eyakpobeyan Justina, Success Umukoro, Uko Nse Imaobong, Patience George, Ella Onojuvwevwo, Oke Opeyemi, Ruth Usoro, Amaechi Obiageri Pamela, Anumba Ashley, Onyekwere Chioma and Olatoye Oyesade.
