C’Wealth Games: Nigeria Savours Okagbare’s 100m Gold

Team Nigeria and Nigerians have commended Blessing Okagbare for her stunning performance that fetched the country another gold medal at the ongoing 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Okagbare lived up to expectation as she overhauled the 100m field to win gold.
Okagbare  also set a new Commonwealth record of 10.85 seconds to win 100m gold and put her Jamaican rivals in the shade.
Okagbare produced a fine piece of relaxed sprinting to leave Veronica Campbell-Brown in silver and Kerron Stewart bronze.
England’s Asha Philip produced a new personal best of 11.18secs to take fourth.
Compatriot Bianca Williams took sixth in her first major championships.
Philip said: “Fourth is always the first loser, but there’s a lot more to come.
“I wanted a medal, but it’s my first ever Commonwealth Games. I’m really happy with that.”
Okagbare, who still has 200m and long jump gold to aim at in these Games, said: “A season’s best, a win – I’m just happy I was able to pull it off. After 70m it just felt easy.”
Sophie Hitchon, a ballet dancer turned hammer thrower, claimed Commonwealth bronze, the 23-year-old from Burnley hurling the hammer 68.72m.
“The first few rounds were a little jerky and I only got it together later on but I am amazingly pleased with a medal,” she said.
Canada’s Sultana Frizell took the gold in a Games record 71.97m, while England’s Sarah Holt was fourth with a season’s best 65.67m.
Scotland’s Libby Clegg, 24, earned the hosts their first Hampden Park gold with victory in the T11/12 100m.
The visually impaired 22-year-old and guide Mikail Huggins – who together won silver at London 2012 – crossed the line in 12.20 to emphatically claim the title by more than a second to the delight of a raucous full house.
“It is a bit daunting when everyone wants you to win, but I didn’t feel the pressure too much,” said Clegg. “The crowd and atmosphere have been brilliant and to win gold is amazing.”
Laura Muir, one of Scotland’s leading hopes, also had the crowd at the national stadium off their seats as she cruised into the final of the 1500m.

Blessing Okagbare,(middle) coasting home to gold in te women’s 100metres at the ongoing Commonwealth Games In Glasgow, Scotland.