Nigeria’s promising sprinter Alaba Akintola delivered a commanding performance at the Meeting Arcobaleno in Italy, signaling a strong return to form ahead of the Nigerian Athletics Trials scheduled for later this month in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The 22-year-old athlete clinched double victories in the men’s 100m and 200m events, underlining his readiness for stiffer competition on home soil.
Akintola stormed to victory in the 100m, clocking the fastest time across all eleven heats with 10.35s despite a challenging headwind of -2.2 m/s. His blistering run in Heat 11 saw him outpace Jamaica’s Michael Campbell, who finished second in 10.43s, and Cuba’s Reynaldo Espinosa, who placed third in 10.46s.
Nigeria’s promising sprinter Alaba Akintola
Maintaining his momentum, Akintola returned to dominate the 200m, again producing the quickest time overall. He secured first place in the final heat, crossing the line in 20.61s to complete a memorable sprint double in Italy.
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The outing is a major confidence boost for Akintola as he fine-tunes his preparations for the Nigerian Olympic Trials in Abeokuta. The athlete, a product of the University of Alabama and a former African Games medalist, is widely tipped as one of Nigeria’s brightest prospects in the sprints.
Akintola’s recent exploits in Europe suggest he is peaking at the right time. His double sprint wins in Italy demonstrate his growing strength and speed, and he will be looking to build on this momentum as he heads into the Nigerian Athletics Trials.
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Alaba Akintola’s double sprint wins in Italy are a promising sign for Nigerian athletics. With his sights set on the Nigerian Olympic Trials, Akintola will be looking to continue his winning form and secure a spot on the national team. His performances will be closely watched by fans and coaches alike, as he looks to make a name for himself on the international stage.
