- Favour Ofili sets a new world record in the women's 150m at the Adidas Atlanta City Games with a stunning 15.85 seconds finish
- She becomes the first woman ever to break the 16-second barrier, surpassing Shaunae Miller-Uibo's record of 16.23 seconds from 2018
- Ofili's historic run is hailed as a milestone for Nigerian athletics, marking a new era of global sprinting dominance
Nigerian sprint sensation Favour Ofili has etched her name in history by setting a new world record in the women's 150m at the Adidas Atlanta City Games, clocking an incredible 15.85 seconds. The electrifying performance saw Ofili become the first woman in history to run the 150m under 16 seconds, breaking the previous record of 16.23 seconds held by Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas since 2018.
The event, hosted under optimal weather conditions with a legal wind reading of 2.0 m/s, witnessed Ofili dominate the track with unmatched acceleration and flawless execution. Her explosive start and powerful stride left the crowd stunned as she crossed the finish line, making a bold statement on the global athletics stage.
At just 21 years old, Ofili's meteoric rise in athletics is setting new benchmarks for Nigerian sports. Already a dominant figure in the 200m and 400m, this latest feat adds to her growing list of accolades. Speaking after the race, Ofili expressed gratitude for the support she received and hinted at bigger goals ahead.
"This is only the beginning. I’m grateful for the support and excited to keep pushing boundaries," she said with a smile.
Ofili’s record-breaking run is yet another testament to the resurgence of Nigerian athletics. Following the successes of Tobi Amusan in the 100m hurdles and Ese Brume in long jump, Ofili's achievement cements Nigeria's presence as a powerhouse in global track events.
Athletics commentators have hailed Ofili's achievement as a game-changer for women’s sprinting. Mark Hughes, a prominent athletics analyst, noted,
"Ofili's sub-16 performance is not just historic; it’s transformative. We're witnessing the dawn of a new era in women’s track events."
Following her historic run, Ofili is set to participate in major international competitions, including the World Athletics Championships and the Diamond League series. Expectations are high, with many tipping her as a serious contender for medals in the 200m and 400m.
Ofili’s achievement has sparked celebrations across Nigeria and the global athletics community, with fans and athletes alike praising her extraordinary talent. Social media has been flooded with congratulatory messages, celebrating her as the new queen of the 150m.
Favour Ofili overcomes frustration to advance to women's 200m semifinals in Paris Olympics
Earlier, TheRadar reported that Favour Ofili successfully secured her spot in the semifinals of the Women's 200m at the Paris 2024 Olympics, delivering a remarkable performance in the heats.
Recall that Ofili had earlier been disqualified from the 100-metre race after some administrative blunder that left her unregistered.
However, she has put aside her earlier frustration to record success as she looks to make her mark at the ongoing games in Paris and prove naysayers wrong.
