OLAPADE ADENIKAN THE SPRINT LEGEND

Adeniken Olapade is a retired Nigerian sprinter who was the first Nigerian to break the 10-second barrier in the 100 metres in 1992 at a meet in Austin, Texas where he posted a then personal best and National Record of 9.97s before lowering it to 9.95s in 1994.

He dipped under 10s nine times in his career. Three of these times were hand timed with his best being 9.7h in 1995.

In 1992, he ran 9.97s, 9.99, 9.97 and 9.99s. After his National Record of 9.95s in 1994. He ran a windy 9.92s in ’95, that same year he recorded 9.7h and the following season at the Nigerian Championships, he clocked 9.8h and 9.9h to finish 3rd in the final.

Adeniken’s 9.95s NR didn’t stay for too long as Davidson Ezinwa broke it 3months later by 0.01s.

Interestingly, for every competition Adeniken represented Nigeria, he never bowed out in the rounds, winning two silver medals at the 1988 World Junior, silver at the 1989 World University Games.

He was a finalist at the 3 World Championships he represented Nigeria; winning a Silver at the 1997 edition in the 4x100m

Highlight of his career was clinching the silver medal at the 1992 Olympics Games. He was also a finalist in the 100m and 200m at the ’92 Games.

Credit : Athletic Heat & Getty Imag.