Shortly after helping the Nigerian mixed relay team to qualifying for the 2024 Olympics, Ella Onojuvwevwo has produced a stunning 50.57secs run, the fastest Nigerian time in almost 24 years.
Onojuvwevwo achieved the feat at the NCAA Southeastern Conference Outdoor Championships that ends Saturday. The time has launched the 19-year-old former junior athlete into qualification for the women 400m Olympics individual event.
Speaking on Onojuvwevwo’s all time personal best feat, African women 400m record holder, Falilat Ogunkoya tipped the Louisiana State University undergrad to go far if she stays focused and worked harder.
“It’s a heartwarming development, she has qualified for the Olympics,” said Ogunkoya who’s 49.10secs achieved in Atlanta 1996 Games remains the best time in Africa.
“Ella needs to work harder than ever to reach the final of the Olympics.
“I believe she can drop 48 sometime in the future, but it is going to take a lot of hard work… running 49 is not an easy job, so she needs to be focused and listen more to her coach.”
Onojuvwevwo will have the chance to improve on her time as she competes in SEC Championships final today, her run erased the LSU 27-year-old record of 50.60 seconds.
Onojuvwevwo who represented Nigeria at the African junior Championships in Zambia 2021, has consistently made an improvement to her race. She clocked 51.85 seconds, followed by 51.31 in April and at the World Relays her split was 50.45secs.
