Yomi Omogbeja (10/07/2005)

Defending champion Endurance Ojokolo and ex-world cup winner Uchenna Emedolu booked their places at August's IAAF World Athletics Championships with victory in the 100m at the ExxonMobil/All Nigeria Track & Field Championships in Abuja.

Ojokolo overcame an indifferent season to beat Mercy Nku to retain her title in 11.28 seconds.

Nku crossed the finish line in 11.42 seconds, while Australian based Gloria Kemasuode settled for third place in 11.45 seconds.

Emedolu ran a controlled race to edge out African champion Olusoji Fasuba with 10.13 seconds in the men's 100m already declared as "a sprinters' war" between the Athens 2004 Olympics relay teamates.

Fasuba, 20, finished second in 10.16 seconds, while All-Africa Games (Abuja 2003) winner Deji Aliu and Aaron Egbele settled for the third and fourth positions respectively in 10.28 and 10.44 seconds.

'Hardwork' rewarded

An elated Emedolu told reporters after the race he had not been competing for some time because of injuries.

"I feel so happy winning the gold. I know this came as a result of hardwork," he said.

"I will train hard for the World Championship and the Commonwealth Games.

"With my time, I believe I can get to the final of the world championship and in the final, anything can happen," he added.

Conspicuously missing at the final race was the All Nigeria defending sprints champion Tamunosiki Atoribido who pulled out halfway through his second round heats with a hamstring injury on the first day of competition.

Tamunosiki, who surprisingly won the title last year with a stunning 10.08 seconds, has been plaqued by injuries all season and only managed a 10.40 seconds season's best this year.

Gooday James won the men's 400 metres in 45.64 seconds, while Christy Ekpukpon surprised former champion, Bisi Afolabi in the women's 400m event winning in 52.76 seconds.

16th ExxonMobil/All Nigeria T&F championship Results

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