Nigerian athletes, Temitope Adeshina and Tima Godbless officially joined the roster of qualifiers following standout performances over the weekend in the United States collegiate circuit.
This event automatically strengthens Nigeria’s representation at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Adeshina Hits World Mark with Record-Breaking High Jump
Temitope Adeshina, representing Texas Tech, soared to a gold medal finish in the women’s high jump at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships, matching her personal best of 1.97m.
Set a new meet record
Met the World Championship automatic qualifying standard, and
Reinforced her status among the world’s elite jumpers ahead of Tokyo.
At 26, Adeshina’s performance follows her return to form after an injury-hampered 2023 season.
She joins Tokyo as one of the few African women to have cleared the mark this season and will now set her sights on surpassing her Paris Olympic bronze-winning jump.
Godbless Secures Sprint Double for Tokyo
On the track, Tima Godbless delivered one of her strongest performances of the year by finishing second in the 100m final at the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Outdoor Championships, clocking 11.06s, just behind JaMeesia Ford of South Carolina, who registered the same time.
The qualifying standard for the 100m at the World Championships is 11.07s, which Godbless beat by 0.01 seconds, earning her a second individual event slot.
She had earlier qualified for the 200m in April at the Tom Jones Memorial Meet in Florida with a time of 22.55s, inside the 22.57s requirement.
She now becomes the second Nigerian woman, alongside Favour Ofili, to qualify in both the 100m and 200m for Tokyo.
Nigeria’s Growing Tokyo Squad
With the inclusion of Adeshina and Godbless, Nigeria’s confirmed athletes for the 2025 World Championships (September 13–21) now include:
Favour Ofili – 100m & 200m (10.99s, 22.05s)
Tima Godbless – 100m & 200m (11.06s, 22.55s)
Temitope Adeshina – High Jump (1.97m)
Ezekiel Nathaniel – 400m & 400m Hurdles
Samuel Ogazi – 400m & 400m Hurdles
Ella Onojuvwevwo – 400m
Kayinsola Ajayi – 100m (sub-10s)
Tobi Amusan – 100m Hurdles (Reigning World Champion)
Tokyo 2025: A Global Event Awaits
Set to run over nine days in September, the 2025 World Athletics Championships will return to Tokyo for the first time since 1991, welcoming over 2,000 athletes from nearly 200 countries across 49 disciplines.
