The 2025 Racers Grand Prix, scheduled for Saturday, June 7 at Kingston, Jamaica’s National Stadium, has seen the withdrawal of Nigerian sprint phenom Favour Ofili.
Jamaican track and field pundit Kemal Forde confirmed her absence from the high-profile event, revealing that American Deajah Stevens and Bahamian sprinter Anthonique Strachan have been selected to replace the Nigerian in the women’s 200-meter roster.
“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 confirmed.
Ofili was one of the main competitors listed for the competition, which is run by the founder of the Racers Track Club and renowned coach Glen Mills.
Fans hoping for a track match against double world champion Shericka Jackson, who is still the event’s primary attraction, are disappointed by her withdrawal.
This season, the 22-year-old Nigerian sprinter has been playing exceptionally well.
She created history at the Adidas Atlanta City Games earlier in May when she broke the previous Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo’s record of 16.23 seconds in the women’s 150m, setting a new world record of 15.85 seconds.
Although she has not provided an official explanation, her withdrawal is probably a preventative effort to control her workload or prevent injury as she prepares for the World Athletics Championships in September, where she is anticipated to be among Nigeria’s leading medal contenders.
The level of competitiveness that is anticipated in Kingston is not diminished by Ofili’s absence. Tobi Amusan, her countryman and current world record holder, is still on the start list and will compete in her signature 100-meter hurdles event.
After a small training setback earlier this season, Amusan moved to Jamaica late last year to train under Mills at Racers Track Club. He won the Rabat Diamond League on May 25 and is now slowly getting back to full form.