Reigning African Games 400m champion Chidi Okezie has set his sights on delivering a spectacular performance, when he takes to the tracks at the sixth edition of the Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour, which will take place at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, in Nairobi, Kenya, on May 31.
The 31-year-old quarter-miler, who is a two-time African Championships bronze medal winner over the 400m, will be looking to secure his spot in the forthcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, by meeting the 44.80-second qualifying mark when he competes with other elite athletes.
American-born Okezie told Athletics Kenya, “The timer is my biggest competition. Whenever I am on the track, I am the best athlete on the track, me and the time.”
The Hampton University graduate already has five races on his belt in the 2025 season, and recently clocked 45.46s in the 400m at the Drake Relays in the United States, and posted a time of 45.15s at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix.
Having clocked these times, Okezie is now set for what he hopes will be another breakthrough performance on the continent. He will have his work cut out over the distance on Saturday, with South Africa’s Zak Nene, Australia’s Sherman Cooper, and American Brian Faust, all providing fierce competition for the Nigerian.
Also set to compete at the event is reigning Africa’s fastest man over the men’s 100m, and home favourite, Ferdinand Omanyala, who has set his sights on claiming a historic third consecutive victory in the discipline.