Ofili, Nathaniel lead Nigerian entries for Lone Star Grand Prix

Four Nigerian athletes, including 150m world record holder Favour Ofili, African 400m hurdles record holder Ezekiel Nathaniel, Rosemary Chukwuma and African indoor 400m record holder Ella Onojuvwevwo, are set to compete at the inaugural Lone Star Grand Prix in Texas on Saturday, PidomNigeria Sports Extra reports.

Part of the inaugural USATF Tour, the Lone Star Grand Prix is one of two World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meetings in the United States this season, alongside the Los Angeles Grand Prix later this month.

For Ofili, who recently saw her nationality switch to Turkey turned down, the meeting presents another opportunity to test herself against elite opposition in the women’s 200m.

The Nigerian will compete in a strong field featuring reigning Olympic champion Gabby Thomas, Olympic 400m fourth-place finisher Rhasidat Adeleke, world and Olympic finalist Deajah Stevens and Cambrea Sturgis, who has already run 21.93 this season.

The race will also feature previously announced athletes, including American high school sensation Mariah Maxwell and World Championships relay gold medallists Jenna Prandini and Kayla White.

Chukwuma, who owns a personal best of 10.95 seconds and has also run a wind-assisted 10.81 this season, has been entered in a loaded women’s 100m field where she will face 2023 world 4x100m relay champion Tamari Davis and Jamaica’s world 4x100m silver medallist Jodean Williams.

In the women’s 400m, Onojuvwevwo will look to maintain her momentum following her African indoor record of 50.28 earlier this year and her impressive outdoor season opener of 49.59. She will face Jamaica’s Stacey Ann Williams as well as American duo Britton Wilson and Bailey Lear.

Nathaniel will open his season in the men’s 400m hurdles against a field packed with global talent. Among his rivals are world finalist Caleb Dean, who has run 47.75 this season, and 2022 world bronze medallist Trevor Bassitt, who has clocked 47.82.

Elsewhere, Jamaican sprint star Oblique Seville is scheduled to line up in the men’s 100m alongside a field that includes 2021 Olympic 200m champion Andre De Grasse, 2016 world indoor champion Trayvon Bromell, 2023 world bronze medallist Zharnel Hughes and 9.83 performer Ronnie Baker.