Former Nigerian 100m hurdler Toyin Augustus Abiodun will be competing Friday at the World Masters Athletics Championships on-going in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Augustus-Abiodun is one of the few Nigerians masters competing at the event meant for athletes between 35-100 years of age. And according to her it has always been a delightful experience representing Nigeria despite the shortcomings of the sports administrators.
Born in the USA to Nigerian parents, Augustus-Abiodun held sway in the African 100m hurdles in 2006, she won the gold at the African Championships in Bambous, Mauritius on her debut and then at the 2007 African Games in Algeria, she won the gold beating off challenge from compatriot Jessica Ohanaja. Augustus-Abiodun won silver at the 2008 African Championships in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and then made her presence felt at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. She reached the semi-final of the 100m hurdles and the women’s 4x100m relay at the Berlin 2009 World Championships.
“I always love representing the green-white-green because I love my people,” the 44-year-old Augustus-Abiodun with a personal best of 12.85 seconds enthusiastically said in a chat Thursday.
“The government and federation can disappoint but my compatriots are always in my heart.”
