The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has announced a strong contingent of 15 track and field athletes for the forthcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
The 20th edition of the Championships will be held from September 13 to 21, 2025, at the Japan National Stadium, Tokyo.
The Team Nigeria list consists of seven female and eight male athletes billed to feature in 11 events covering 100m (men), 100m (women), 100mH (women), 200m (men), 400m (men), 400mH (men), Long Jump (men), Long Jump (women), Shot Put (men), Discus (women), and Hammer (women).
The squad comprises seven female and eight male athletes. Among them are 100m hurdles world record holder Oluwatobi Amusan, Olympic bronze medallist in long jump Ese Brume, rising 400m hurdles star Nathaniel Ezekiel, and veteran shot putter Chukwuebuka Enekwechi.
Also making the list are Rosemary Chukwuma (100m), Prestina Ochonogor (long jump), Chioma Onyekwere Lyons and Obiageri Amaechi (discus), Oyesade Olatoye (hammer), Israel Okon and Kayinsola Ajayi (100m), Udodi Onwuzurike (200m), Samuel Ogazi and Chidi Okezie (400m), and Charles Godfred (long jump).
Speaking on the final selection, the Secretary General of the AFN, Mr Israel Inwang, emphasised that all 15 athletes earned their spots based on merit and strict adherence to World Athletics qualification standards.
He said, “We are proud to present a team of athletes who have not only met the global standards but have also shown consistency and determination throughout the qualification period. This is a team that reflects the future and strength of Nigerian athletics.”
The President of the AFN, Chief Tonobok Okowa, said the final selection was based on merit and laid down qualification standards set by World Athletics, expressing confidence that the athletes would make the country proud in Tokyo.
Okowa appreciated athletics stakeholders who have contributed to the development of the athletes, including coaches, sponsors, and government agencies, and assured them of more programmes for the growth and success of sports in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Team Nigeria female athletes expected to compete at the World Championships in Tokyo have ‘discretely’ undergone the mandatory gene testing in line with the directive of World Athletics and ahead of the September 1st deadline.
