Okagbare-Ighoteguonor takes down 1996 record by countrywoman Onyali-Omagbemi

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor not only broke the African women’s 200-meter record, but surged to the world lead by clocking 22.04 seconds Saturday at Abilene Christian’s Wes Kittley Invitational at Elmer J. Gray Stadium in Texas.

Okagbare-Ighoteguonor, 29, eclipsed the 1996 African record of 22.07 set by fellow Nigerian Mary Onyali-Omagbemi. Only four female athletes in the world – Tori Bowie, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Elaine Thompson and Kyra Jefferson – ran faster last year than Okagbare-Ighoteguonor.

Okagbare-Ighoteguonor had a previous best of 22.23 from the 2014 Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

The 2013 World Championship 200 bronze medalist, Okagbare-Ighoteguonor boasts Nigerian records in the 100 and 200. She is tied for the No. 19 performer in history in the 100 at 10.79 and is now equal to the No. 34 all-time performer in the 200.

Okagbare-Ighoteguonor had her African 100 record broken in June 2016 by Ivory Coast’s Murielle Ahoure, who ran 10.78 at the Star Athletics Pro Meet in Montverde, Fla.

Okagbare-Ighoteguonor, who swept the 100 and 200 gold medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland, is scheduled to compete April 4-15 in Gold Coast, Australia. She had originally committed to only running for Nigeria on the 4x100 relay, but would be the favorite in the 100 and 200 if she decides to compete in either event.