Favour Ofili set a new women’s world record following victory in the 150m event at the Adidas Atlanta City Games on Saturday.
Ofili clocked 15.85 seconds to break a seven-year world record set by Shaunae Miller in 2018, smashing it by almost four seconds, to the admiration of spectators.
The Port Harcourt-born sprint star lived up to her star billing in a race that was won last year in record time, outdoing expectations by shattering the world record.
The 22-year-old had a good start and took the lead after 50m before powering away to victory, leaving a wide gap between herself and second-placed Tamari Davis, who posted her personal best.
Ofili also became the first woman ever to finish the race in sub-16 seconds.
In an interview after the race, the 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist revealed the feat was possible through hard work and trust.
“The Lord is good, and is marvellous in my sight. Honestly, I’m surprised with the time,” she said.
“But I know I put in the work, I trust my coach, I trust his program, and I know at the right time the Lord would do it.”
When asked how she was able to finish the race strongly, Ofili said she got advice to relax and treat the race “like it is 100[metres]”.
Ofili previously set an African record of 22.36 seconds in the 200m event at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in 2023.
