US-based Nigerian hurdler Divine Bamgboye says her eyes are set on making a mark on the tracks in Abeokuta for her voice to be heard across the continent.

Bamgboye, who gave this assurance on Thursday in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG, said gold is her favorite metal, and she will do everything within her power to secure it on Friday during the U-20 hurdles final.

Bamgboye explained that she is feeling a bit nervous but is very confident that victory is within her reach.

She said, “I expect to win gold. It’s nerve-racking. I feel very nervous. I’m very optimistic. I think I can do it. I think it’s within reach.”

Divine Bamgboye, who is the niece of the Permanent Secretary of the Ogun State Sports Commission, Lanre Ogunyinka, stressed that love for athletics is embedded within her and is a motivating factor for her.

The 18-year-old said, “I love hurdles. Ever since I tried out the sport, everything has been going great for me. I like to win too. Everything has been falling in place for me. Athletics was my first love, although I tried other sports, but I didn’t really enjoy them”.

Bamgboye, an acute lover of Nigerian delicacies and attires, went on to state that she has been training really hard for the past three weeks ahead of this event.

Bamgboye, who just graduated from Urbana High School in the United States of America, noted that her family has been her backbone and pillar of strength.

She commended the Nigeria Sports Commission (NSC), the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), and the Ogun State Sports Commission for hosting and organizing the continental showpiece.

She showered praises on the organizers for the new Puma kit, highlighting that it fits her style and it will play a pivotal role in her victory during the final.