Femi Seun Ogunode, originally from Nigeria, has been a prominent figure in international sprinting since representing Qatar from 2010 onwards. His standout achievement came in 2015 with a personal best of 9.91 seconds in the 100m, establishing him as the former holder of the Asian 100m record, later matched and surpassed in the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Debuting for Qatar at the 2010 Asian Games, Ogunode immediately showcased his talent by securing a double victory in the 200m and 400m events. The following year, he continued his success by claiming Asian and Arab titles in the 200m, alongside victories in the 100m and 200m at the 2011 Military World Games. Despite falling short of a podium finish, Ogunode reached the finals in the 400m at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics.
In 2014, Ogunode captured his second Asian Games double, this time dominating the 100m and 200m events. His performance in the 100m, clocking 9.93 seconds, not only secured victory but also set a new Asian record, marking him as the second Asian man to break the 10-second barrier after fellow Qatari-Nigerian Samuel Francis. Additionally, Ogunode claimed bronze medals at the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships and the 2014 IAAF Continental Cup.
His journey to international acclaim began in Nigeria, where he competed for the University of Ibadan and earned qualifications for the 2007 All-Africa Games and the 2008 Summer Olympics. However, his aspirations were hindered by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, which omitted him from the final rosters for undisclosed reasons. Faced with these setbacks, Ogunode accepted an offer to represent Qatar on the global stage.
Relocating to Qatar in October 2009, Ogunode swiftly transitioned into international competition, clinching victories in the 100m and 200m at the West Asian Championships. His stellar performance continued at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, where he secured gold in both the 200m and 400m events, etching his name in history as only the second athlete to achieve such a feat in Games history, following in the footsteps of Milkha Singh at the 1958 Asian Games.
Continuing to dominate the sprinting scene, Ogunode claimed the Asian championship in the 200m at Kobe, Japan, equalling the championship record en route to gold. His exceptional form culminated in the Military World Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he clinched victories in both the 100m and 200m, setting new championship records over both distances.
Ogunode’s relentless pursuit of excellence reached new heights in September 2014, as he clinched the 100m event at the Asian Games, setting a new Asian record with a time of 9.93 seconds. Further solidifying his status as a sprinting phenomenon, he went on to secure the 200m gold at Incheon and set another Asian record at the 2015 Asian Athletics Championships with a blistering time of 9.91 seconds in the 100m.
His dedication and prowess were evident in 2021 when he achieved a seasonal best of 10.00 seconds in the 100m at the Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, winning the Diamond League meeting and meeting the standard for the 2020 Olympic Games. Throughout his career, Femi Seun Ogunode has consistently showcased his talent, resilience, and determination, cementing his legacy as one of the finest sprinters in the world.
