Accra, March 21, 2024, Chidi Okezie, the new African champion in the men’s 400m event, says his victory is amazing and a dream come true.
According to him, the secret of his success is adhering strictly to training schedules and everything coming to fruition.
Okezie, a two-time African bronze medallist in the 400m event, ran a personal best of 45.06 seconds to win the gold for Team Nigeria in the final at the ongoing 13th African Games.
Zambian Samukonga Muzala came second with a time of 45.37 seconds, while Senegal’s Diouf Cheik Tidiane placed third in a time of 45.49 seconds.
“It feels amazing, very sensational, words cannot explain it.
“I really worked hard with my coach in the U.S. and followed his instructions, and I followed a game plan which worked,’’ Okezie said.
The new African champion said he knew the race would be tight, with strong competitors and “I gave my all to win the race’’.
Okezie said that his focus after the African Game was to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games.
“I need to run 45 seconds flat, so that I am close to meeting the qualifying time. When I get back to the U.S., I will work with my coach to develop a plan that will make me qualify for the Olympic Games,’’ he said.
He said African athletes could compete favourably with others in Europe and America,’’ but they need the resources to do that very well.
“A lot of people out here do not have the resources like in America and Europe.
“Once they have the resources, they can compete against any athlete. After all, we return at the same time like them, Okezie said. (GBN)
