Nigerian sprinter Blessing Ogundiran has expressed deep appreciation to her coaches and support system after delivering a standout performance at the South Florida Invitational, where she clocked an impressive 10.98 seconds (+0.6) to win the women’s 100 metres and make a strong statement on the global athletics stage.
The 26-year-old, competing for Warner University, finished far ahead of her rivals, with University of Central Florida’s Eseroghene Awusa placing second in 11.40 seconds and Jada Smith of Boston University finishing third in 11.57 seconds.
Her latest performance also set both a new school record and a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) record, coming shortly after she had already broken the previous NAIA women’s 100m record of 11.28 seconds earlier in the season.
In that earlier race at the Embry-Riddle Classic, she recorded 11.21 seconds (+0.5), surpassing the long-standing record set in 2014 by Jamaica’s Jura Levy.
Ogundiran dedicated her latest achievement to her coaches, friends, and family, describing the moment as the fulfilment of a dream and a testament to her hard work and support network.
She specifically thanked her coaches in Nigeria and abroad for their guidance and belief in her progress, noting that their encouragement played a key role in her breakthrough performance.
If ratified by World Athletics, her 10.98-second finish will position her among the fastest times recorded globally in the women’s 100 metres this season.
