By Elizabeth Godwin
Nigerian sprint star Favour Ofili has etched her name in the annals of track and field history after delivering a jaw-dropping performance at the Adidas Atlanta City Games. Competing in the women’s 150 metres on a specially designed elevated straight track, the 22-year-old blazed to a world-record time of 15.85 seconds, becoming the first woman in history to run under 16 seconds in the event.
The performance broke the previous world best of 16.23 seconds set by Olympic gold medalist Shaunae Miller-Uibo in 2018. In a race that featured top-tier competitors, American Tamari Davis also ran an impressive 16.14 seconds, but it was Ofili who stood out, delivering a milestone moment in global sprinting.
Ofili’s strategy was key to her success. She approached the 150m like an extended 100m sprint, focusing on explosive drive and utilizing the fast, responsive surface to her advantage. This calculated approach, along with months of rigorous preparation and consistent improvements in her technique and strength, contributed to her flawless execution on race day.
Her achievement in Atlanta marks another high point in a career that has been on a steady rise. Ofili already holds Nigeria’s national record in the 200m with a time of 21.96 seconds, set in 2022, becoming the first Nigerian woman to break the 22-second barrier in the event. That same year, she also established the African indoor 200m record (22.71s), proving her prowess on multiple racing surfaces and formats.
A standout at the collegiate level in the U.S., Ofili has consistently delivered top performances in international competitions. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, she reached the women’s 200m final, placing sixth with a time of 22.24 seconds — narrowly missing a podium finish by just four hundredths of a second. Her progress has remained steady ever since, including a wind-aided 10.94-second finish in the 100m at a recent meet in Miami.
Ofili’s latest world record also marks a moment of pride for Nigerian athletics. She becomes only the second Nigerian athlete to hold a world record in track and field, joining 100m hurdles record holder Tobi Amusan. Her performance rekindles the significance of Atlanta in Nigeria’s sporting history – the same city where Nigeria won its first Olympic gold medals in 1996.
As the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo approach, Ofili’s stock is soaring. With the confidence of a record-breaking performance behind her, she now heads into the global event as one of the continent’s top medal contenders. Her trajectory suggests even more success is on the horizon, as she aims to bring further glory to Nigerian and African sprinting.
Ofili’s 15.85-second run now stands as the benchmark in the rarely contested but increasingly popular 150m street race. While not part of the standard championship program, the event is a thrilling showcase of speed, power, and racing strategy – and with her latest feat, Favour Ofili has become its undisputed queen.
