Three Nigerian Athletes Move Higher In World Athletics Rankings

Nigerian sprinters Favour Ofili and Samuel Ogazi, along with shot put thrower Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, have moved higher in the latest World Athletics rankings released after the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Ofili, who finished sixth in the women’s 200m, has advanced to the eighth position in the 200m rankings, making her the leading athlete in Africa. She is currently ranked 138th in the overall women’s rankings.

Meanwhile, Ogazi, who reached the final in the men’s 400m, has climbed to the third position in Africa and 12th in the world, a remarkable improvement from his previous 23rd position.

Additionally, 19-year-old Kanyinsola Ajayi, who reached the semi-finals of the men’s 100m, has moved up two places to 23rd in the event’s rankings and is seventh in Africa.

In the men’s shot put, two-time African champion Enekwechi has secured the seventh position in the world after his performance in the Olympics.

Furthermore, in the overall rankings, pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis holds the highest position among male athletes, followed by Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen and new Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles.

Kenya has a dominant presence in the women’s category, with Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon leading the rankings in the 5,000m and 10000m categories respectively, while the Netherlands sprinter Femke Bol holds the third position.