SPRINT hurdles world record holder Tobi Amusan is the biggest name missing from the Nigerian team to the World Athletics Championships scheduled for Budapest, Hungary from August 19 to August 27.
Amusan will not be defending her women’s 100m hurdles world title after being provisionally suspended by the Athletes Integrity Unit for missing three out-of-competition drug tests.
Although the 26-year-old world champion is contesting the charges and a ruling will be made before the start of the competition, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria did not name her among the 26 athletes to represent the country.
Also out are male sprinters Udodi Onwuzurike and Godson Oghenebrume as well as female sprinter Tima Godbless for various reasons.
Oghenebrume withdrew to take care of his health and get properly fit for the rest of the year, while Onwuzurike and Godbless failed to recover from their injuries.
The team to Hungary is headed by Ese Brume, the global long jump medallist and the country’s biggest medal hope, who is one of 16 women heading to Budapest, with fellow jumper Ruth Usoro, sprinter Favour Ofili and Commonwealth Youth Games gold and silver medalists, Faith Okwose and Eyakpobeyan Justina, also included.
Reigning national 100m champion Ushoritse Itshekiri is also included as one of 11 men, along with the likes of Favour Ashe, Seun Ogunlewe and Nathaniel Ezekiel.
Discus throwers Chioma Onyekwere, Pamela Amaechi Obiageri and Ashley Anumba are also in the team while
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi will compete in the shot put.
A total of six coaches led by Tony Osheku will accompany the team to Budapest.
Nigeria’s best-ever perfromance at the championships was achieved last year when Amusan made history as the first athlete from the country to win a world outdoor title and Brume the first to win medals in consecutive editions.
TEAM NIGERIA TO BUDAPEST
Men’s 100m
Itshekiri Usheoritshe
Seye Ogunlewe
Favour Ashe
Men’s 200m
Alaba Akintola
Men’s 400m
Dubem Nwachukwu
Men’s shot put
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi
Men’s 4x100m
Itshekiri Usheoritshe
Seye Ogunlewe
Favour Ashe
Fakorede Adekalu
Karlington Anunagba
Alaba Akintola
Men’s 400m hurdles
Nathaniel Ezekiel
Mixed 4x400m
Chidi Okezie
Samuel Ogazi
Nathaniel Ezekiel
Dubem Nwachukwu
Patience Okon-George
Nse Uko Imaobong
Ella Onojuvwevwo
Women’s 100m
Rosemary Chukwuma
Women’s 200m
Favour Ofili
Women’s 400m
Nse Uko Imaobong
Women’s long jump
Ese Brume
Ruth Usoro
Women’s discus
Pamela Amaechi Obiageri
Ashley Anumba
Chioma Onyekwere
Women’s hammer
Sade Olatoye
Women’s 4x100m
Favour Ofili
Rosemary Chukwuma
Justina Eyakpobeyan
Faith Okwose
Success Umukoro
Deborah Oke Opeyemi
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