Africa’s 400m hurdles champion, Ajoke Odumosu is bracing up for the mother of all battles at the London Olympic Games, starting July 27.
The Nigerian women champion said that she expects a very different and competitive race in London, noting that she was doing all to be in the best form for the epic clash against the world’s finest hurdlers
Having coasted to victory at the Africa Athletics Championship, Odumosu, who clocked 55.08secs in Port Novo, must now show her stuff on the world’s stage and speaking in an interview with Saturday Sports Vanguard, she said her target was to win a medal at the Games. She said that she was going to be facing familiar foes, who on her very good day, can be beaten.
“I am ready for the London Olympics. Those that I am going to compete with in London are not new to me. I have competed with them before now, in some Diamond Leagues meets, as well as Grand Prix races in Europe, Asia, South America and some African countries.
“As I am preparing they too are getting ready for the event in London. I have been training for a long time and I also know that they are also doing their best in training. It is going to be the mother of all battles in London and we are going to be there to give it our best shot but my target is to reach the final and once there, anything can happen”.
Odumosu reckons that the women’s 4x100m relay team presents Nigeria’s best chance to pick a medal at the Games but warns that the athletes must step up their performance if they must make the dream to become a reality
“Relay is a joint effort. All the athletes have to make their impact in the race. A tree cannot make a forest. The girls are really doing well and it showed in Port Novo, when they broke the African record which is a good thing but at the Olympics, it is a different kettle of fish. They must be at their very best and above all, perfect their baton exchange
“Our girls are getting stronger and by the time they collaborate on the other legs, that are faster than the ones around, I think we should be able to come out with a medal”.
By Philips Adefioye
The Nigerian women champion said that she expects a very different and competitive race in London, noting that she was doing all to be in the best form for the epic clash against the world’s finest hurdlers
Having coasted to victory at the Africa Athletics Championship, Odumosu, who clocked 55.08secs in Port Novo, must now show her stuff on the world’s stage and speaking in an interview with Saturday Sports Vanguard, she said her target was to win a medal at the Games. She said that she was going to be facing familiar foes, who on her very good day, can be beaten.
“I am ready for the London Olympics. Those that I am going to compete with in London are not new to me. I have competed with them before now, in some Diamond Leagues meets, as well as Grand Prix races in Europe, Asia, South America and some African countries.
“As I am preparing they too are getting ready for the event in London. I have been training for a long time and I also know that they are also doing their best in training. It is going to be the mother of all battles in London and we are going to be there to give it our best shot but my target is to reach the final and once there, anything can happen”.
Odumosu reckons that the women’s 4x100m relay team presents Nigeria’s best chance to pick a medal at the Games but warns that the athletes must step up their performance if they must make the dream to become a reality
“Relay is a joint effort. All the athletes have to make their impact in the race. A tree cannot make a forest. The girls are really doing well and it showed in Port Novo, when they broke the African record which is a good thing but at the Olympics, it is a different kettle of fish. They must be at their very best and above all, perfect their baton exchange
“Our girls are getting stronger and by the time they collaborate on the other legs, that are faster than the ones around, I think we should be able to come out with a medal”.
By Philips Adefioye
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