Nigeria’s athletes delivered an impressive display across the track and field events at the LA Grand Prix, with sprinter Favour Ofili headlining the country’s performances by securing her first 200m victory of the 2026 season.
Ofili showed her class in challenging conditions, powering to victory in the women’s 200 metres in 22.45 seconds despite battling a strong headwind of -3.1 m/s.
The Nigerian star finished comfortably ahead of the field, with Gemima Joseph placing second in 22.88s and fellow Nigerian and 2026 CAA Senior Athletics 100m and 200m silver medallist, Rosemary Chukwuma completing a memorable outing for Team Nigeria by finishing third in 22.94s.
The victory was a significant boost for Ofili as she continues to build momentum ahead of the major championships later in the season, demonstrating both her speed and ability to perform under difficult racing conditions.
Nigeria’s success on the track continued in the women’s 400 metres, where Ella Onojuvwevwo produced another strong performance to claim second place in 50.25 seconds.
Onojuvwevwo entered the race fresh from a personal best of 49.47 seconds set in Texas just a week earlier and once again showed her consistency against elite competition.
She finished behind American winner Aaliyah Butler, who crossed the line in 49.90 seconds.
In the field events, Nigerian long jump star Ese Brume made a welcome return to competition after a nine-month absence caused by an accident.
Competing in her first event since the layoff, the Nigerian and African record holder produced a best jump of 6.53 metres despite a tailwind reading of +2.5 m/s.
The mark earned her fifth place in a highly competitive field and provided an encouraging platform as she begins her journey back to peak form.
The event was won by reigning world champion Tara Davis-Woodhall, who soared to 7.25m with a wind-assisted leap after earlier recording a wind-legal personal best and world-leading mark of 7.20m.
Nigeria was also represented in the men’s shot put by Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, who continued his consistent season with a throw of 21.33 metres to finish fifth.
Jamaica’s Rajindra Campbell claimed top spot with a winning effort of 21.94m.
The performances of Ofili, Onojuvwevwo, Brume and Enekwechi highlighted another encouraging outing for Nigerian athletics, with podium finishes, strong times and a successful comeback reinforcing the country’s growing presence on the international stage.
Maxwell Kumoye
