100m: Egwero, Metu, Emelizie crash

Obinna Metu of Nigeria, in green has crashed out

Nigeria’s trio of Obinna Metu, Ogho Oghene-Egwero and Peter Emelizie yesterday crashed out in the first round of the men’s 100m at the ongoing London Olympics. In what represents a sorry state of men’s athletics in Nigeria, the trio were unable to meet the qualifying standard in their respective heats.

First to fail was Oghene-Egwero, who finished sixth in heat four, won by world record holder and defending Olympic champion, Usain Bolt.

The Nigerian returned a time of 10.38secs, while Bolt clocked 10.09. Next to follow Oghene out of the 100m was Metu, whose 10.35secs in the heat 5 was only good enough to guarantee him a fifth place finish while another Jamaican, Asafa Powell easily won the race in 10.04secs.

Completing the Nigerian disaster was Emelizie, who finished fifth in heat 6 with a time of 10.22secs but was unable to break into the next round of the event. Despite his ouster, Emelizie would feel good about the time that he returned, which represents a personal best for the 24 year-old emerging track star.

Jamaica’s Yohan Blake won the heat with a time of 10.00secs. US sprinter, Justin Gatlin recorded the fastest time in the heats held yesterday with a time of 9.97secs.