Nigerian sprint sensation Favour Ofili delivered a breathtaking performance on Saturday at the Adidas Atlanta City Games, setting a new world record in the rarely contested women’s 150m event.
The 22-year-old blazed through the race in a staggering 15.85 seconds, becoming the first woman ever to complete the distance in under 16 seconds.
Ofili’s time obliterated the previous world best of 18.38 seconds set by Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo in 2018.
With this achievement, the Port Harcourt-born athlete didn’t just break a record—she redefined what was thought possible in the hybrid sprint distance, combining elements of both the 100m and 200m races.
Fans at the packed venue watched in awe as Ofili surged ahead after the 50m mark, increasing her pace with astonishing ease.
Her closest competitor, American sprinter Tamari Davis, recorded a personal best yet still finished well behind.
Faith, Preparation, and Precision
Moments after crossing the finish line, an emotional Ofili gave credit to her faith, her coach, and her disciplined preparation.
“The Lord is good, and is marvellous in my sight. Honestly, I’m surprised with the time,” she said in her post-race interview.
She revealed her race strategy was to treat the sprint like a shorter 100m dash, a psychological trick designed to help maintain form and aggression. “I was told to relax and treat the race like it is 100[metres],” she explained.
A Star on the Rise
Ofili’s win in Atlanta is the latest milestone in a career filled with promise and precision. Just last year, she set an African record in the 200m with a time of 22.36 seconds at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas—a record that reinforced her position as a dominant force in African sprinting.
150M WORLD RECORD. FAVOUR OFILI.
— LSU Track & Field (@LSUTrackField) May 17, 2025
⏱️ 15.85 seconds (+2.0 m/s)#GeauxTigers | 📺 Watch on Peacock pic.twitter.com/hfxBSuq7Xi
Her performances have not gone unnoticed on the international stage. The Adidas City Games, known for attracting elite global talent and experimenting with non-standard distances, provided the perfect platform for her to shine. With the Paris 2024 Olympics on the horizon, Ofili’s latest exploits may signal even greater things to come.
Nigeria’s Track Legacy Continues
Ofili’s accomplishment adds a brilliant chapter to Nigeria’s growing legacy in global athletics.
Following in the footsteps of greats like Blessing Okagbare and Falilat Ogunkoya, she represents a new generation of Nigerian athletes asserting their presence at the highest level of competition.
Favour Ofili’s electrifying run is a beacon of hope and national pride. The track world will now be watching closely as she builds momentum toward even greater records—and possibly, Olympic gold.
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