Tabugbo eyes Commonwealth medal after AFN trials triumph

Posted : 24 June 2026

National women’s 100m hurdles champion, Adaobi Tabugbo, has set her sights on winning a medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after claiming victory at the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) trials in Lagos.

The American-born Nigerian hurdler said her triumph at the national trials marked a significant breakthrough in her career, especially after overcoming years of challenges and uncertainty.

Tabugbo secured the women’s 100m hurdles title in the absence of world record holder Tobi Amusan, describing the victory as a reward for her perseverance and unwavering faith.

“I am thankful to God for helping me achieve one of my long-standing goals,” she said.

“The victory today is a significant milestone and a reflection of my hard work over time.”

The athlete, who won bronze at the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana with a time of 13.26 seconds, said the achievement had strengthened her belief that greater success was within reach.

Reflecting on her journey, Tabugbo admitted that life after college had tested her resolve, with several moments when she contemplated quitting athletics.

“My journey since leaving college has been filled with challenges and uncertainty despite winning bronze,” she said.

“There were several moments when I considered walking away from the sport, but my faith and belief in God’s guidance kept motivating me to continue.”

She added that every setback had helped build her resilience and sharpened her determination to succeed.

“For me, every setback becomes a stepping stone towards improvement and growth,” she said.

As part of her preparations for the Commonwealth Games, Tabugbo said she would compete extensively on the European circuit in July to improve her form ahead of the championships.

While identifying qualification for the final as her immediate objective, she expressed confidence that she could also contend for a place on the podium.

“Reaching the final remains my primary objective, but I believe a medal is possible,” she said.

Tabugbo also acknowledged the influence of Tobi Amusan on her career, describing the world record holder as a constant source of motivation.

“Competing alongside Tobi Amusan motivates me because she pushes me to perform better,” she said.

She noted that the atmosphere at the AFN trials was different without Amusan, adding that the presence of the Nigerian star always raises the standard of competition.

“Whenever Amusan is around, the intensity rises because she challenges everyone to improve,” she added.

Although she declined to specify the colour of medal she is targeting at the Commonwealth Games, Tabugbo maintained that any podium finish would represent another important milestone in her career.

The newly crowned national champion has proven that she possesses both the mental fortitude and physical capability to excel on the big stage. By transitioning from college uncertainties to domestic success, her trajectory indicates a peaking form perfect for global assignments. With a rigorous European tour ahead to fine-tune her race execution, Tabugbo stands as a potent medal prospect for Team Nigeria in Glasgow.

Tabugbo eyes Commonwealth medal after AFN trials triumph

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