2024 Olympic Qualifier: Nigeria’s D’Tigress Defeats Senegal

Nigeria’s women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress, emerged victorious in their first game of Group A at the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying event in Antwerp, Belgium.

The Nigerian team displayed their prowess by defeating Senegal with a score of 72-65.

Naija News reports that despite trailing in the second quarter, Nigeria made a remarkable comeback in the last quarter, securing an 11-0 run to reclaim the lead.

Amy Okonkwo, who was named MVP of the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in 2023, played a crucial role in the team’s success, contributing 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Nigeria’s journey to victory was not without challenges, but they persevered and achieved a well-deserved win.

Their next matches will be against the United States on Friday and Belgium on Sunday.

Tobi Amusan Breaks African Women’s Indoor Record

Earlier in the week, Nigerian sprinter, Tobi Amusan, set a new African women’s indoor record in the 60-meter event at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston, clocking a time of 7.75 seconds.

Tobi Amusan’s race in Boston has eclipsed the old mark of 7.77 seconds, set in January during the Astana Indoor Meet in Kazakhstan.

Although she wasn’t first in Boston, she was able to add more accolades to her name.

American Tia Jones, who finished in 7.72 seconds, won the race, followed by Bahamas native Devynne Chalton, who finished in 7.76 seconds.

In her first race of the new sporting season on January 27, Amusan broke an African record set by her fellow citizen Gloria Alozie. On the said date, she set a new record for African women in the indoor 60-meter hurdles, clocking in at 7.77 seconds.

This happened at the Astana Indoor Meet in Kazakhstan, Naija News reports.

Note that Gloria Alozie set the women’s record in 1999 with 7.82 seconds which Tobi Amusan has now shattered.

The 26-year-old handily overcame American Nia Ali and Ireland’s Sarah Lavin in the 60-meter hurdles final.

Recall that Amusan became the first Nigerian to win a gold medal in the World Athletics Championship in 2022. She broke the world record in the women’s 100-meter hurdles on her way to the world title.