African Sports Monthly Mar, 2015 | Page 101

05. Nijel Amos – Country: Botswana Events: 400 Meters, 800 meters Personal Bests: 400 Meters – 45.66 seconds 800 meters – 1:41.73(Botswana National Record)(World Junior Record) This four times Gold Medalist is Botswana’s first ever Olympic Medalist as well as the World Junior record holder in the 800 Meters; a feat and accolade he attained at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, finishing second after Kenya’s David Rudisha. Amos who will be 21 in a few days has yet to reach his true potential and with what he has already done on the track at such a young age it is scary to think what this young man will attain in his career by the time it’s all said and done. Will Nijel Amos be the first man on earth to run a sub 1:40.00, 800 meters race? 04. Blessing Okagbare – Country: Nigeria Events: 100 Meters, 200 meters, Long Jump, Triple Jump Personal Bests: 100 Meters – 10.79 seconds (Nigerian National & African Record) 200 meters – 22.23 seconds Long Jump – 7.00 meters Triple Jump - 14.13 m Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria is one of those once in a generation special athlete who at this stage of her career has nine Gold Medals to her name ranging from the 100 meters to the long Jump. She is the current African record holder for women in the 100 meters at 10.79 seconds and also the Commonwealth Games at 10.85 seconds. At 26 she is in the prime of her athletics career and has yet to put forth her best. She currently carries the flag for Nigerian athletics, a nation that once dominated the sport on the continent.