Fasuba, Osayomi win gold in Ethiopia: At 16th African Athletics Championships - Emedolu, Toyin Augusto pick silver

Niyi Alebiosu, Lagos - 02.05.2008

Olusoji FasubaNIGERIAN duo Olusoji Fasuba and Damola Osayemi on Thursday won the men’s and women’s 100m races to move Nigeria to joint top of the medal in the second day of action at the 16th CAA African Athletics Championships holding in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Fasuba comfortably defended his African title, thanks to a 10.10seconds performance ahead of compatriot Uchenna Emedolu, who returned 10.21secs to pick silver, with South African Hannes Dreyer beating Burkina Faso’s medal hopeful Idrissa Sanou to bronze.

Osayomi, who is the All-African Games 100m/200m double champion, took victory in 11.22 ahead of Ghana’s defending champion Vida Anim and Cameroun’s Delphine Atangana.

Thursday’s feats propelled Nigeria to the top of the medal standings with five medals (two gold, two silver, and one bronze) with Egypt and host Ethiopia in second and third place.

“I know it is going to be a good year for me. I am ready to run 10.10 now,” said an ecstatic Fasuba. “There are lots of good youngsters coming through now and African sprinting is on its way back up, I nearly got knocked out because the competition was tough but I had a good start and am pleased the result.”

Osayemi, on her part said, “It was so great, I loved beating the defending champion. I worked hard to be here and I didn’t let the false starts bother me, I stayed focused on the run. The preparations for Beijing are going well, I believe I can get a medal and I am good enough to win the Olympics because of God.”

Nigeria’s Toyin Augusto won the silver medal in the women’s 110 m hurdles with her 13.12 seconds effort.