TEAM NIGERIA CONTINUES MEDAL HAUL AT COMMONWEALTH GAMES. .... As Athletes Onwuzurike, Ofili Lead Medal Charge for Team Nigeria

"Both athletes defied the odds to make it to the finals of the men's and women's 200m final holding later on Saturday." FMYSD.

Team Nigeria's push for podium finishes in the Athletics events on Saturday, Day 9 of the ongoing 2022 Commonwealth Games rests on the shoulders of two young talents, Udodi Onwuzurike and Favour Ofili.

A statement issued and signed by Mohammed Manga, Director in charge of the Press and Public Relations Department of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, on behalf of the Honourable Minister, FMYSD, Sunday Akin Dare, disclosed that, "both athletes defied the odds to make it to the finals of the men's and women's 200m final holding later on Saturday.

"Onwuzurike was almost pulled out of the semifinals owing to illness but he turned up and won comfortably while Ofili had an extended stay in isolation after the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, United States of America, missing out of the Commonwealth Games women's 100m event in the process."

According to the statement, "Both student athletes have had a bruising and physically exerting NCAA season but are pushing to the limits to do the nation proud.

"Team Nigeria celebrates their patriotic zeal and hunger and hopes it yields positive results later today and in the future.

"Some other medal hopefuls in events lined up for this Saturday are Nathaniel Ezekiel in the men's 400m hurdles, Temitope Simbiat Adeshina and Esther Isa in the women's high jump.

"Oyesade Olatoye will be competing in the final of the women's hammer event."

Similarly, Mohammed Manga also revealed that, "Team Nigeria is in 7th Heaven on Day 8 following winning two gold medals and a Bronze from the wrestling mat on Day 8 of the ongoing 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

The Director, Press and Public Relations Department disclosed that "Odunayo Adekuoroye successfully defended the title she won in 2018 at the Gold Coast with a dominant performance in the women's 57kg class.

According Manga, in the statement, "Her compatriot, Blessing Oborududu, another defending Commonwealth  Games champion and Olympic silver medalist also followed suit with an equally flawless run of results in the women's 68kg category.

"Esther Kolawole won Bronze in the women's 62kg class to cap a very fruitful Day 8 for Team Nigeria.

"With 7 gold, 3 silver and 6 bronze medals, Team Nigeria remains in 8th place on the Medal Table," he concluded.