Just when Nigerian Athlete Alaba Akintola thought he would not stand a chance of winning a medal for Nigeria at the ongoing 2023 World Athletics Championship, in Budapest, Hungary, luck shone on him.
Alaba Akintola represented team Nigeria in the Men’s 200-meter race earlier today, August 23, and finished fourth which normally should end his hope of vying for a podium finish.
However, after the race, it was discovered that a French sprinter, Ryan Zeze had been disqualified for a bad start even before the race ended.
However, Zeze continued in the race and interestingly finished third ahead of the Nigerian Athlete who finished fourth in 20.54 seconds.
American sprinter Kenny Bednarek won the race in 20.01 seconds ahead of the reigning silver medalist Alexander Ogando of the Dominican Republic.
Since Zeze was disqualified for a bad start, the Nigerian athlete moved from fourth to third and automatically qualified for the 200-meter semi-final at the 2023 World Athletics Championship.
The Nigerian athlete will battle for a spot in the final from 7:20 p.m. WAT on Thursday, August 24. He must finish in the top three to make it to the final.
Meanwhile, the world 100-meter women’s hurdles champion and record holder, Tobi Amusan has qualified for the 100-meter hurdles final at the 2023 World Athletics Championship.
Amusan won heat 2 by running an outstanding 12.56s to ensure that she maintained her drive to defend her world title which she won in Oregon, the United States last year.
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