Success Umukoro Defends 60m Title at Corky Classic

Texas Tech sprinter Success Umukoro successfully defended her women’s 60m title at the Corky Classic in Lubbock, Texas, on Saturday, winning the final in 7.25 seconds.

Her Nigerian teammate Olayinka Olajide placed fourth with a personal best of 7.33 seconds, while another compatriot, Prestina Ochonogor of Tarleton State, also set a personal best of 7.41 seconds in the semifinals.

Umukoro, who remains unbeaten in the event at the meet, progressed smoothly through the rounds, running 7.37 seconds in the heats and 7.33 seconds in the semifinals before securing victory.

Several other Nigerian athletes delivered notable performances on the first day of the meet. In the men’s 60m, Jerry Jakpa clocked 6.78 seconds in the semifinals, while Ruth Usoro led the long jump with a leap of 6.26 meters.

Nigerian competitors also excelled at other U.S. collegiate meets over the weekend. At the Virginia Tech Invitational, Jude Okafor ran a personal best of 33.70 seconds in the 300m, moving to fourth on Nigeria’s all-time indoor list.

Esther Joseph set a school record and the second-fastest indoor time ever by a Nigerian in the 300m, winning her event at the Arkansas Invitational in 36.41 seconds.

Additional strong showings came from Chioma Nwachukwu in the 400m and Jimoh Justine, who cleared 2.13 meters in the high jump at the LSU Purple Tiger meet.