Udo puts ₦200,000 on the line for Athletic Heat 800m

Athletes competing in the 800m at the Athletic Heat 10th Anniversary Meet will have more than medals and prize money to chase, with Nigerian international Edidiong Udo putting a ₦200,000 performance bonus on the line for those who hit the required standards.

The special incentive will form part of the men’s and women’s 800m programme at the anniversary meet, billed for November 7 at the Yabatech Sports Complex, Lagos.

Udo has pledged support for both races, with the events to be known as the Edidiong Udo Men’s 800m and Edidiong Udo Women’s 800m.

The bonus will be available to any female athlete who runs faster than 2:07 and any male athlete who breaks 1:52, irrespective of the regular prize attached to their finishing position.

The gesture has a strong personal connection for Udo, who started his own athletics journey as an 800m runner before eventually switching to the 400m.

He became Nigerian 400m champion in 2022 and subsequently earned a scholarship to The Ohio State University, where he has continued to establish himself on the international scene.

His 2026 campaign produced another major breakthrough as he lowered his personal best to 44.91 seconds at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships, making him the second Nigerian to dip under 45 seconds in the 400m this season.

Udo then made his Team Nigeria debut at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, reaching the 400m final and placing eighth before contributing to Nigeria’s bronze-medal finish in the mixed 4x400m relay.

Despite making his mark in the 400m, the 800m remains an important part of Udo’s story, making his decision to attach his name and resources to the event particularly significant.

“I used to run the 800m, so supporting the event means a lot to me,” Udo said.

“I want to see athletes keep training, competing and putting themselves in a position to earn something for themselves.”

The quarter-miler said his involvement was also driven by his appreciation for Athletic Heat’s work in creating visibility for athletes, particularly through its founder and CEO, Ese Oguma.

“I just want to appreciate Athletic Heat for the constant support they have shown to Nigerian athletes and for the work they continue to do in showcasing Nigerian and African athletes.”

According to Udo, the organisation’s decade-long contribution to athletics made the anniversary an occasion worth supporting.

“Athletic Heat has stood for excellence for the past 10 years, and I want to be part of that. To celebrate 10 years, they are putting together a meet, and I encourage every Nigerian and African athlete to be part of this milestone.”

He also singled out Oguma for using Athletic Heat as a platform to tell the stories of athletes who might otherwise struggle for visibility.

“Ese Oguma has used his platform to showcase Nigerian athletes and African athletes at large. That is something I really appreciate, and I wanted to contribute to what they are building.”

Oguma, meanwhile, described Udo’s intervention as a meaningful contribution from an athlete who understands the journey from the 800m to the elite level.

“Edidiong is someone who understands what it means to develop through athletics, having competed in the 800m before moving to the 400m,” Oguma said.

“His decision to support both the men’s and women’s 800m and add a performance bonus is a great gesture to the athletes.”

With ₦200,000 available for every athlete who hits the qualifying mark, Udo believes the incentive should give competitors another reason to push themselves on the day.

“This is just my little way of appreciating Athletic Heat and being part of the excellence they are known for. I encourage everyone to come and be part of it. Keep training, keep working and hopefully you can get some cool cash for yourself too.”

The Athletic Heat 10th Anniversary Meet will mark a decade of the platform’s involvement in promoting athletics and providing exposure for athletes across Nigeria and Africa.