Nigerian track stars brought the heat (quite literally under the Georgia sun) at the Adidas Atlanta City Games, leaving the crowd buzzing and record books needing a rewrite. Leading the charge were world champ Tobi Amusan, sprinting sensation Favour Ofili, long jump queen Ese Brume, and speedster Udodi Onwuzurike.

Each athlete delivered scorchers of their own, putting the world on notice.

History was made… again ⚡️

Two world leads. Two American records. Dozens of Olympians, World Champions, and national record-holders.

That’s adidas #ATLCityGames. ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/QTGaVYIb2T

— adidas Atlanta City Games (@adidasATLGames) May 19, 2024

Amusan Battles Season Debutant Harrison in a Hurdle Thriller

The 27-year-old Amusan faced a fierce test in the 100m hurdles final. Her arch-rival, Kendra Harrison, was making a splashy season debut, joining forces with a Jamaican posse of Ackers Nugent, Yanique Thompson, and Demisha Roswell. To add spice to the mix, British champion Cindy Sember and American talent Anna Hall were also in the blocks. Talk about a stacked field!

Despite the heavyweight competition, Amusan clocked a scorching 12.73 seconds (with a slight headwind), proving she’s in top form. But it wasn’t quite enough for the gold this time. Former champion Harrison stole the show with a lightening-fast 12.67 seconds, leaving Amusan with a well-deserved silver. Don’t worry, Tobi, that second-place finish is a victory lap compared to what’s to come this season!

Ofili Blazes a New African Record in the 150m Straight

Favour Ofili was the undisputed queen of the Atlanta meet, rewriting African athletics history in the rarely run 150m straight. This young gun, at just 21 years old, showcased some serious speed, blowing past a slight stumble at the start and clocking a mind-boggling 16.30 seconds (with a perfect tailwind). Not only did this time secure her the win, but it also shattered the African record for the event!

But wait, there’s more! Ofili’s training partner, Candace Hill, deserves a shout-out too. Hill finished in exactly the same time (16.30 seconds), but with a lightning-fast reaction time, she snagged the top spot by a photo finish (16.293 seconds compared to Ofili’s 16.299 seconds). Talk about a close call! Regardless of the narrow margin, both athletes delivered stellar performances, proving the sprint scene is stacked with talent.

Brume Books Her Ticket to Paris with a Season-Best Jump

Ese Brume added another gold medal to Nigeria’s haul with a stellar showing in the women’s long jump. Brume soared to a season-best leap of 6.87 meters, securing a well-deserved third place on the podium.

This impressive jump wasn’t just about bragging rights; it also secured her qualification for the upcoming Paris Olympics! The top spot went to American Tara Davis-Woodhall, who achieved a World Lead of 7.17 meters, while her compatriot Quanesha Burks snagged silver with a jump of 6.89 meters.

Onwuzurike Blazes to a Season-Best Time in the Men’s 100m

Udodi Onwuzurike wasn’t about to be left out of the Nigerian party! He clocked a season-best time of 10.12 seconds in the men’s 100m final, securing a respectable fourth-place finish. The race itself was a display of world-class sprinting, with South African Akani Simbine setting a sizzling World Lead time of 9.90 seconds for the win. Kenyan runner Ferdinand Omanyala followed closely behind with a time of 10.00 seconds, taking home the silver.

That’s another WORLD LEAD in the books at @adidasrunning #ATLCityGames 🔥@AkaniSimbine flew down the straightaway in yesterday’s men’s 100m with a winning time of 9.90 ‼️ pic.twitter.com/Jz93LKuPIm

— adidas Atlanta City Games (@adidasATLGames) May 19, 2024

The Nigerian athletes at the Adidas Atlanta City Games served up a sizzling performance that left everyone wanting more. They’ve set the bar high and sent a clear message to the world: watch out, track and field season is about to get wild, and Nigeria is ready to dominate!