NIGERIAN sprinter Blessing Okagbare believes she can upset the pecking order at the Olympics and outshine her 100 metre rivals from Jamaica and the United States.The 23-year-old has hit form at the right time, dipping under 11 seconds twice this month to record victories at both the London and Monaco Diamond League events against her fellow competitors for sprint gold.Okagbare, a bronze medallist in the long jump in Beijing four years ago, now has genuine belief she can add a medal in the 100m in London."My recent win in Monaco has boosted my confidence," Okagbare said. "I think I'm ready to face the world. I'm just going to go out and do my best. "I'm aiming for a top three overall. If I get the gold, I'll take it. Whatever happens I will accept my fate."At Crystal Palace earlier this month, Okagbare scored a surprise win over defending Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica and reigning world champion Carmelita Jeter.She then followed that up with victory in Monaco, clocking a season's best 10.96sec. Although her rivals from Jamaica and the United States remain the bookmakers' favourites, Okagbare says she is unfazed by the prospect of lining up against them in London."You race with them from day to day. It's not any different at the Olympic Games," she said. "They are not threats to me. When I went to Beijing, I was 19 and I got the bronze medal. This year it feels different.'Meanwhile, BLESSING Okagbare no doubt knows the huge expectation being placed on her by many Nigerians to excel at the Olympics. She has raised their hopes high with sterling performances at the African Championships in Porto Norvo and the Diamond League. She is also receiving rave reviews here on the hot legs for the women 100 m.But she is not swayed by that as she revealed yesterday that while Nigerians are placing their expectations on her, she too was placing her expectations on God.''I am aware of the massive expectations on me, but frankly, my expectations are on God'', she said yesterday at the hoisting of Team Nigeria's flag at the Olympic village.Okagbare has been in blazing form and many are tipping her to win two medals from the 100 m and the jumps.''She is in good form and she carries herself well. She is humble and focused'', Yussuf Alli volunteered on the former footballer turned athlete.
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