Nigerian and African women's 100m champion, Blessing Okagbare has reiterated her desire to defend her national title when she stepped onto the track against former champion, Damola Osayomi at the 2011 All Nigeria Open Track and Field Championship scheduled for the U.J Eusene stadium in Calabar, Cross-River State from Thursday.
Okagbare said though Damola has won it before, it will not be a do or die affair as her target is the World championship in Daegu in Korea in August this year.
"I don't see anything spectacular about this because Damola has won it before, I am now the champion and I will not kill myself over it. It is not going to be a do or die affair, my target is to do well in the World Championships in Korea in August.
Okagbare who will be contesting for a place in the national trials will be running in the 100m, 4x100m and Long Jump but stated that Nigerians should expect the best from her when she competes in Calabar.
"I will be running the 100m, 4x100m and doing the Long Jump and Nigerians should expect the best from me as I will be doing all my events with the seriousness that always makes me win," she said.
It would be recalled that Blessing Okagbare, who was suppose to run against Osayomi during the IAAF Diamond League pulled out of the race which Nigerian have been expecting to take place since Osayomi ran a personal best time of 10.99 seconds this year while Okagbare did 11.08 also.
Meanwhile the sprint showdown promises to be exciting with the addition of United State born sprinter, Gloria Asumnu , who holds a PB of 11.03 (Clermont, Florida in May 2008) to the Nigerian fold.
Other new athletes in Calabar to compete at the National Championships for the first time include: Leslie Njoku, Stanley Azie and Okwuwa Okolie.