Before the commencement of the Africa Games National Trials organised by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) in Asaba, Delta State, not much was known of the new 100m sensation, Israel Sunday Okon.

Although Okon, who resides in Asaba, had made some international trips with the AFN, including some World Athletics competitions in Zambia, Kenya, and Trinidad and Tobago, he had never made it huge on home soil. Okon’s parents hail from Akwa Ibom State, but he was born in Delta State. His nickname is ‘Alika the homeboy’.

The young sprinter has been under the tutelage of Coach Oputa Oluchuken since he was a teenager. Then, many people, including coaches, had written him off from making any meaningful impact in track and field for being too slim and small in size.

“No coach wanted to touch him because of his slim and smallish size. That was why I named him Alika, meaning Lizard,” Oluchuken revealed shortly after the athlete won the 100m race at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba on Saturday evening.

Among the athletes on parade for the 100m title on Saturday evening was current world leader, Consider Ekanem, who ran 10.10 seconds in an athletics event in Lagos in January this year. There was also former national champion, Enoch Adegoke, an Olympics and Commonwealth Games finalist. All eyes were on the duo of Ekanem and Adegoke for the title, but it was ‘Alika the homeboy,’ who took the crown.

As is the practice in track and field events, the atmosphere inside the Stephen Keshi Stadium was charged, with the spectators on the edge of their seats waiting for the great race.

On your mark, set….but before the starter’s gun could sound, race favourite, Consider Ekanem, was already on his way. It was a false start, and Ekanem paid the big prize as he was disqualified from the 100m final to the disappointment of many athletics fans, who came from neighbouring towns and villages to watch him run at the trials.

In his absence, Okon won the race in 10.20 seconds, beating Fakorede Adekalu (10.26 seconds) and Enoch Adegoke, who posted 10.30 seconds. As Okon raced across the finish line to claim the 100m title, the stadium erupted with the fans shouting ‘Alika the homeboy.’ Only a few people know him as Okon in Delta State.

Speaking with journalists after the race, the new 100m champion corroborated his coach’s statement on why his friends call him Alika. He said: “I was very slim and tiny while growing up, but God gave me the talent which people are seeing today.”

On when he became aware that he could win the 100m title, Okon said: “It has been long, but being patient did it for me. I never expected it this quick, but providence smiled on me and my coach.”

Interestingly, for guiding the new 100m sensation, Okon Israel, to stardom at the Africa Games trials in Asaba, his coach Oputa Oluchukwu has been offered automatic employment by the Delta Sports Commission.