Following an outstanding 2018, Making of Champions fast rising star, Joy Udo-Gabriel wants to consolidate on her last year performance in the upcoming athletics season.
Udo-Gabriel blew the minds of many in every race she took part in 2018 winning a total of 11 medals (5G, 3S, and 3B) and clocking the fastest time by a Nigerian in the women’s 100m of the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
Udo-Gabriel told ACLSports.com, “I had an amazing 2018 and hoping this year will be better. 2019 is going to be a big year for me and also for my team mate with the effort of my coach and hard work I am going to pull through this 2019.”
In the absence of Blessing Okagbare-Ighotegunor who did not run the individual race, Udo-Gabriel represented Nigeria in the 100m and won her first senior individual medal for Nigeria at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Asaba. She won bronze behind World leader, Marie-Josee Ta Lou of Cote d’Ivoire.
The 19 year old described how she felt sharing the same podium with Ta Lou.
“It was awesome sharing same podium with Marie and would cherish it again and it was a good experience for me.”
Udo-Gabriel also disclosed her most challenging race she participated in 2018.
“My most challenging race so far was the National Sports Festival because I raced right in front of persons who were hoping to see me win the race.”
She clinched a bronze medal for Delta State at the National Sports Festival in Abuja last December.
At the Nigerian Sports awards in November last year, Udo-Gabriel won the discovery of the year award and was nominated in the Track and Field Star of the Year.
