By Peter Omopo
Nigerian sprint sensation Favour Ofili impressed on her debut at the newly launched Grand Slam Track series in Miami on Friday, finishing third in a fiercely contested women’s 100m final.
The race was won by U.S. Olympic bronze medallist Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, who blazed to victory in 10.75 seconds, ahead of fellow American Tamari Davis, who clocked 10.79 seconds. Ofili followed closely in third with a time of 10.94 seconds, rounding off a podium packed with high-calibre talent.
Olympic 200m champion Gabby Thomas ran a personal milestone, breaking the 11-second barrier in all conditions for the first time in her career with 10.97 seconds, but finished in fourth place. She narrowly edged Jacious Sears, who posted 10.98 seconds.
Ofili’s outing marked her debut in the Grand Slam Track league—hailed as the first fully professional track and field circuit—after she withdrew from the opening leg in Kingston, Jamaica earlier in the month.
The league offers top-tier athletes a new platform for competitive consistency, with a lucrative $100,000 prize pool for each leg.
