Maria Usifo

Maria Usifo (born 1 August 1964) is a Nigerian athlete and former Olympian who represented Nigeria at Los Angeles (1984) and Seoul (1988) Olympic Games.[1] She specialized in the 100 and 400 metres hurdles.[2] She is one of the female athletes in Nigerian sports history who dominated athletic events both at national and international levels.[3]

Career in sports

Usifo started her career in sports in Nigeria in the 1970s when the school sports system was functional. She was a former hurdler and quarter-miler whose athletic opened opportunities for her to choose from 10 foreign universities after her outstanding performance at the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia in 1982. She participated in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1984 and Seoul in 1988.[4] Usifo was All-Africa Games Gold medallist and African Championships Gold medallist.[5]

In 1986, Usifo became the first Texas Southern Tigers track and field athlete to win an individual NCAA DI title, in the 400 m hurdles.[6]

International competitions

Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
Representing  Nigeria
1987 All-Africa Games Nairobi, Kenya 1st 100 m hurdles 13.29
1st 400 m hurdles 55.72

References

  1. ^ Ng, Metro Daily (25 June 2021). "We Break the News as the Events Unfold! Ex-olympian, Maria Usifo Counsels Children In Edo IDPs Camp". We Break the News as the Events Unfold!. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  2. ^ "Maria USIFO | Profile | World Athletics". www.worldathletics.org. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  3. ^ "Nigerian women defying odds in sports". Daily Trust. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  4. ^ "Usifo recalls Los Angeles '84 memory as CSED celebrates Olympic Day". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  5. ^ "Maria USIFO | Profile | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  6. ^ admin (20 July 2014). "I still rue my fall at Seoul Olympics – Usifo". TheNiche. Retrieved 16 May 2024.



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