Nigeria’s sprinter and five-time African Junior Champion, Ejowvokoghene Oduduru, on Tuesday kept the country’s hope of a medal in athletics at the Rio Olympics alive after qualifying for the semifinals in the men’s 200m event.

The 19-year-old clocked 20.34sec behind Usain Bolt in Heat 9.

Bolt took another step in his quest for an unprecedented sprint “triple triple” when he safely negotiated the first round of the 200m.

Bolt won a third successive 100m title on Sunday to set up his bid to repeat his haul of three gold medals in the 100, 200 and 4x100m relay at both the Beijing and London Olympics in 2008 and 2012 respectively.



Bolt, who is desperate to better his 2009 world record best of 19.19sec, clocked 20.28sec in winning his first round heat, easing up a full 50 metres from the line.

“I hate morning heats so I’m happy to get this out of the way,” said Bolt.

“I was nervous because the 200m is my favourite event. I didn’t want to go out. It’s a good start and I’m happy.”

American Justin Gatlin, who won silver behind Bolt in the 100m, also looked comfortable as he won his heat in 20.42sec

Congratulations to him
Mr oduduru
Aka i Neva hexpererit