By Oluwatobiloba Kumoye in Abeokuta
Nigerian athlete Divine Bamgboye is set to bounce back stronger after a thrilling performance in the 100m hurdles at the CAA U-18/U-20 Championship.
The US based sprinter, Bamgboye narrowly missed out on a podium finish in the 100m Hurdles women’s U-20.
She finished fourth in a time of 14.79s. Algeria’s Malak Belhadi return a time of 14.66s and second place Precious Uduvweghre of Nigeria in a time of 14.29s with South Africa’s Tumi Ramokgopa clocking 13.52s to the win the event.
Bamgboye was very disappointed by her performance rating it a 3/10 in an interview immediately after the race.
She stated that her start wasn’t good as she hit the first hurdle during the race.
“I feel very bad but I did my best, if not for the first hurdle I stumbled on, I would have done better, at least gotten a medal,” she said.
The 18 year old Nigerian born hurdler, explained that she will head straight to the drawing board, to work on her start with her coach.
“For now I’m going to work on that first hurdle, the rest of the game was fine, it was that first hurdle that gave me headache, but I want to train up my start and work on it,” she stressed.
Bamgboye went on to explain that with adequate training and hard work she sees herself at the 2028 Olympics, dawning the royal green and energetic white flags of Nigeria.
“In the coming future I see myself in the 2028 Olympics, competing for Nigeria. I’d rest for one week and then go back into training,” she stated.
“I think they are very good, the girl that came second and the girl that came first, she is a very good competitors, I hope to face her someday and win,” Bamgboye emphasized.
100M HURDLES GIRLS U-20
Tumi Ramokgopa – RSA – 13.52s
Precious Uduvweghre – NGR -14.29s
Malak Belhadi – ALG – 14.66s
Divine Bamgboye – NGR – 14.79s