Sports

Amusan Bounces Back, Reclaims Gold at Berlin Meet

Published

2 years ago

September 5, 2022

Eric

World record holder Tobi Amusan dominated the women’s 100m hurdles at the ISTAF 2022 Berlin meeting on Sunday, winning in a time of 12.45 seconds. The meet is part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver level series.

Amusan entered Sunday’s race on the back of a second-place performance at the 2022 Lausanne Diamond League meeting last month, but said she was confident of bouncing back at the Olympic Stadium this weekend.

The Nigerian standout got off to a strong start to build a sizable lead and then powered away to secure the victory.

She hit the last hurdle and was pictured limping at the end of the race, even minutes after her celebrations. But, the world champion revealed afterward that she was okay and is now looking forward to her next competition at the 2022 Wanda Diamond League final in Zurich later this week.

American two-time world junior champion Tia Jones finished strongly over the closing barriers to take second place with a time of 12.58 while Olympic bronze medalist Megan Tapper of Jamaica was pushed back into third place in 12.66.

Amusan said after her victory: “It has been a long season, but I am still alive. I just wanted to finish strong today. I was here to execute.

“I need to work on what I need to work on, but it is alright. There is always room for improvement. I need to improve my start and my finish.

“I will race again in Zurich. Today we had a great competitive field. My goal was to focus on myself.”

Amusan won the world title in Oregon in July with the fastest time in any conditions at 12.06 seconds, hours after running 12.12 seconds to set the current world record in the semi-final.

Meanwhile, the top German finisher was Isabel Mayer who ran a personal best time of 13.24 to better the 13.25 she clocked in June.

“It could not have been better for me today,” said Mayer. “I was super excited because the German Championships here were a bit traumatic for me. I felt very good today.

“I just wanted to have fun and that worked out today.”

Also, Ese Brume, who clinched her first win at the Diamond League Meet, winning the Women’s Long Jump event at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme in Brussels, Belgium on Friday, finished second in the women’s long jump event in Berlin.

The Commonwealth champion jumped 6.78m to finish behind world and Olympic champion Malaika Mihambo, who won with a leap of 6.92m.

Brume got her first-ever victory in Brussels, winning with a distance of 6.83m, having finished second in Doha (2018) and Eugene (2022).

Sports

NFF Appoints Bruno Labbadia As New Super Eagles Coach

Published

2 months ago

August 27, 2024

Eric

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced the appointment of a German tactician, Bruno Labbadia, as the new Super Eagles coach, with immediate effect.

Labbadia’s appointment was disclosed in an early morning tweet on Tuesday via the NFF’s X handle, tweeting as #thenff.

The statement read, “The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that it has reached an agreement with German tactician, Bruno Labbadia, to become the Head Coach of Nigeria’s senior men’s national team, Super Eagles.”

“The NFF Executive Committee has approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development sub-committee to appoint Mr Bruno Labbadia as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles,” according to the federation’s General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi.

Labbadia becomes the 37th Head Coach of the Super Eagles after the resignation of former coach, Finidi George.

Sports

Paris 2024: Amusan Pays Price for Late Start, Loses Chance to Bid for 100m Olympics Medal

Published

2 months ago

August 9, 2024

Eric

World Record holder, Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan, failed to reach 100m Hurdles final at the Paris Olympics on Friday.

Amusan came third in the first semi-final, in a time of 12.55 (.548) seconds and had to wait to see the results of the two other semi-finals to see if she would squeezed through, but the third semi-final spoilt her wait as the two athletes who came third and fourth bettered her performance.

Amusan started late and she paid the price for that, a miss out in the final of the 100m Hurdles.

The first semi-final was won by Grace Stark of the United States of America (USA) in a time of 12.39 seconds, while Devynne Charlton of Bahrain came second in a time of 12.50 seconds, while Amusan andPia Skrzyszowska of Poland came third in a time of 12.55 (.548).

The World Record holder was Nigeria’s only medal hope as Team Nigeria members crashed out in other contests.

With her flop, Nigeria may be without a medal at the Paris Olympics, which ends in two days.

Sports

Spain Berth in Euro 2024 Final, Beat France in Dramatic Comeback

Published

3 months ago

July 9, 2024

Eric

Spain have book a place in the final of the Euro 2024 championship after a 2-1 win against France on Tuesday night.

Dani Olmo’s 25th-minute right-footed strike sealed the Spanish side’s victory at the Allianz Arena, Germany.

Spain will face either the Netherlands or England in the competition’s final on July 14.

France opened scoring in the eighth minute through R. Kolo Muani before two quick goals from Spain’s L. Yamal in the 21st minute, and D. Olmo in the 25th sealed victory for the Spaniards.