Nigerian Track Star Joshua Caleb Shatters Records In The US.
Joshua Caleb, the young Nigerian sprinter and sophomore at the University of Alaska Anchorage, has set the athletics world alight by breaking two records within a week in the United States.
Caleb has been named the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Men’s Division II Athlete of the Week, becoming the first male athlete from his university to earn the title of M-F Athletic National Athlete of the Week during the indoor season.
Hailing from Okrika, Nigeria, Caleb made headlines at the Silver & Blue Invitational in Reno, Nevada, where he not only opened his season with a bang but also rewrote the record books. He shattered a 30-year-old African U20 record in the 60 meters, posting an astonishing time of 6.57 seconds, bettering the previous record of 6.58 set by Ivory Coast’s Ibrahim Meité back in 1994. No one had come close to that mark indoors until Caleb’s explosive performance.
In the 200 meters, Caleb clocked a world-leading and collegiate-leading time of 20.86 seconds, placing him at the top of the All-College Descending Order List. This performance also ranks second on Nigeria’s U20 all-time list, just behind Francisco Obikwelu’s 28-year-old record of 20.57 seconds.
“Josh had a great first year for us, but he wasn’t satisfied with how either national meet went,” commented the associate head coach of the school. “Since then, he has been working his tail off to improve in any way he can, be it strength, fitness, or his technique. I think it’s safe to say it’s paying off.”
With these record-breaking feats, all eyes will be on Caleb as he and his team gear up for the upcoming UW Preview this weekend, where fans and competitors alike will be eager to see what this rising star from Nigeria can accomplish next. His performances not only highlight his personal achievements but also shine a spotlight on the burgeoning talent coming out of Nigeria’s athletics scene.
