Nigeria’s duo of Favour Ofili and Udodi Onwuzurike dominated the 100m at the USATF NYC Grand Prix in New York City, United States.
Nigerians swept the 100m, respectively, with Ofili (11.18) winning the women’s and Onwuzurike claiming the men’s (10.24).
Ofili who got the 100m win as she held off Morolake Akinosun and her US compatriots Aleia Hobbs and Thomas with an 11.18 run into another significant headwind (-2.1m/s). Akinosun was 0.02 back, with Hobbs third in 11.21 and Thomas fourth in 11.34. Jamaica’s five-time Olympic gold medallist Elaine Thompson-Herah finished ninth for the second time in as many races and looked in pain at the finish as she immediately removed her right spike before being helped off the track.
USA’s 2022 world champion Fred Kerley originally lined up for the 100m but after jumping out of the blocks and stumbling before the race was recalled, he decided not to restart. Onwuzurike went on to claim the win, clocking 10.24 (-0.7m/s) to finish just 0.01 ahead of Kendal Williams, with Pjai Austin another 0.01 back in third.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone wanted an American record in the open 400m, but she got a world lead time instead.
The Olympic champion and world record holder in the 400m hurdles, McLaughlin-Levrone turned in a 48.75 in the 400m, just 0.05 seconds off Sanya Richards Ross’ 48.70, set in 2006 on Sunday (9 June) at the USATF NYC Grand Prix in New York City.
The American was joined by compatriot and fellow world champion Noah Lyles in the winner’s circle, with Lyles capturing the final event of the day in the men’s 200m, clocking a 19.77.
The NYC Grand Prix marked one of the final stops for American track and field athletes ahead of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Eugene, Oregon, later this month (21-30 June). The NYC Grand Prix is a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold stop, with the Olympic Games Paris 2024 less than 50 days away.