Javelin thrower Samuel Kure said he is not going to the African Games next month in Accra, Ghana just to make up the numbers, but to carve a niche for himself with a podium finish and also a record to the bargain.
Kure has been the dominant athlete in the Nigerian men’s javelin throw, but according to him that counts for nothing, if he doesn’t medal at the African Games and put down his name in the record books. At the Athletics Federation of Nigeria trials last weekend in Asaba, he threw 77.45m season and personal best in his bid to erase the 81.08m national record held by Pius Bazighe since 1999.
Bazighe who was watching from the state box nodded in agreement, that it was about time someone did something special, as Kure had the best of Lawrence Onyejiaka who threw a PB of 66.94m to finish second while veteran Kenechukwu Ezefor finished third position with a season best of 62.33m.
“I’m super excited about throwing my personal best…it was something I didn’t expect,” said Kure.
“My goal is a podium finish at the African Games, I’m working on it. It’s an ongoing process. I’m going to be working on my lapses and make improvements.
“My plan for the season is to take the national record and I believe God will do it.”
There is tough competition expected from Egypt’s Ihab Abdulrahman 89.21m best African throw this season, Julius Yego 92.72m African record holder, Nnamdi Chinecherem 74.71m and other throwers. But Kure says he is not bothered.
“I’m not concerned about what anyone is doing, because this is an event anybody can win.
“Thinking about someone else and their performance could be a distraction. So I believe in myself.”
