Nigerian sprint sensation Favour Ofili has withdrawn from the 2025 Racers Grand Prix, scheduled for Saturday, June 7, at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica.
Jamaican analyst Kemal Forde confirmed Bahamian Anthonique Strachan and American Deajah Stevens will replace Ofili in the women’s 200m.
“Anthonique Strachan and Deajah Stevens have been added to the women’s 200m at this Saturday’s Racers Grand Prix as Nigeria’s Favour Ofili has scratched,” Forde told PUNCH Sports.
Ofili featured as a headline name on the star-studded entry list, exciting fans for a showdown with Shericka Jackson.
The 22-year-old Nigerian, who has been in electric form this season, recently made headlines at the Adidas Atlanta City Games where she shattered the women’s 150m world record, clocking an incredible 15.85s to erase the previous record of 16.23s held by Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo.
That record-breaking feat was preceded by impressive performances in the 200m at the Grand Slam Track meet in Florida and the Tom Jones Invitational, where she finished second behind Olympic silver medallist Julien Alfred with times of 22.34s and 22.27s respectively, times that currently rank her eighth-fastest in the world this season.
Insiders suggest Ofili’s withdrawal is precautionary to manage her fitness before the World Championships, where she’s a top Nigerian medal hope.
Despite Ofili’s absence, excitement remains high for the Kingston meet. Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan, the women’s 100m hurdles world record holder, is still on the start list and set to feature in her specialist event.
Amusan, who relocated to Jamaica last year to train under Racers Track Club founder and legendary coach Glen Mills, has been steadily regaining top form after a minor training setback earlier this season. She underlined her growing sharpness by claiming victory at the Rabat Diamond League on May 25.
“I’m taking it one day at a time,” Amusan told reporters recently. “I had a little hiccup in training, but things have been going well, and I’m excited for the rest of the season. I feel like I’m more of a sprinter than a hurdler, and I wasn’t about to let that talent go to waste.”
With Ofili sidelined, focus will now shift to Amusan and other global stars to keep the Racers Grand Prix thrilling when the action unfolds in Kingston this weekend.
