Four Nigerian athletes—Favour Ofili, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Rosemary Chukwuma and Ella Onojuvwevwo, are set to headline action at the inaugural Lone Star Grand Prix in Texas on Saturday.
According to The Punch, the meet is part of the USATF Tour and counts as one of only two World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meetings scheduled in the United States this season, alongside the Los Angeles Grand Prix later in the month.
For Ofili, who recently had her attempted nationality switch to Turkey rejected, the women’s 200m offers another chance to measure herself against world-class competition.
She will line up in a stacked field that includes Olympic champion Gabby Thomas, Olympic 400m fourth-placed finisher Rhasidat Adeleke, world and Olympic finalist Deajah Stevens, and Cambrea Sturgis, who has already clocked 21.93 this season.
Also in the race are American high school standout Mariah Maxwell, alongside World Championships relay gold medallists Jenna Prandini and Kayla White.
In the women’s 100m, Chukwuma, who has a personal best of 10.95 seconds and has also recorded a wind-assisted 10.81 this season, faces a deep field including 2023 world 4x100m relay champion Tamari Davis and Jamaica’s world 4x100m silver medallist Jodean Williams.
Ella Onojuvwevwo will compete in the women’s 400m, aiming to continue her strong form after setting an African indoor record of 50.28 earlier in the year and opening her outdoor season in 49.59.
She will face Jamaica’s Stacey Ann Williams as well as Americans Britton Wilson and Bailey Lear.
In the men’s 400m hurdles, Ezekiel Nathaniel begins his season against a strong field featuring world finalist Caleb Dean, who has run 47.75 this year, and 2022 world bronze medallist Trevor Bassitt, who has posted 47.82.
Elsewhere, Jamaican sprint star Oblique Seville is set for the men’s 100m clash against an elite lineup that includes 2021 Olympic 200m champion Andre De Grasse, 2016 world indoor champion Trayvon Bromell, 2023 world bronze medallist Zharnel Hughes and 9.83-second performer Ronnie Baker.
