By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye
As the date for one of Africa’s biggest showpiece, the Confederation of Africa Athletics, U-18/U-20 Championship draws closer, a member of Team Nigeria to the event, Audu Shakamomodu, is accessing his prospects at the event and what he intends to accomplish.
The Edo State born shotputer, stated that he will be throwing for gold at the continental fiesta, taking place in the rock city of Abeokuta, the Ogun State.
He made this public in an exclusive interview on Thursday.
Audu emphasized that the pre-championship camping put together by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), and the Nigeria Sports Commission (NSC), has helped him improve immensely.
He said that he will be replicating his outstanding performance during training at the CAA Championship, scheduled to begin on the 16th of July and end on the 20th of July 2025.
“Camping has been great so far, the Federation is giving us the very best during the camp. Training has been going seamless and I’ve been putting in my best. Hopefully, I’ll make Nigeria proud, in Abeokuta. I’m nervous but again, I’ll need to put in all I got, my best,” he added.
Audu who came second in the male category with a distance of 15.7 meters, was disappointed by his performance during the National Trials, stating that he has something cooking for the African athletics showpiece.
“I was supposed to execute like I did in training, like repeat the same thing but it didn’t turnout that way, I came out second with 15.7 meters. My personal best with six kg is 18 meters but I fell short of that,” he narrated.
The shotputer was full of praises for Edo State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Monday Okpebholo, who sponsored Edo State athletes to the trials.
“During the trials Edo State assisted us in transportation. They arranged our transport to Ogun State, gave us accommodation for the trials and helped us with feeding,” he concluded.
