Blessing Okagbare Hero in History Medallion

Blessing Okagbare celebrates in the Women’s 200m
Commonwealth Games, July 31, 2014
Photograph by Cameron Spencer
© Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Blink, and you’ll miss her.

Blessing Okagbare
b. 1988, Sapele, Delta State, Nigeria
Works in Los Angeles, Calif., and Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

I’m determined to compete on the big stage and prove myself.
—Blessing Okagbare, April 28, 2014

I am more dangerous dead.
—Ken Saro-Wiwa
• Born to an Urhobo family, Okagbare is a track-and-field athlete specializing in sprints and the long jump. She won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics when she was 19.
• She has medaled consistently in World Championships, Commonwealth Games, and the African Games in the past decade.
• Okagbare holds the Commonwealth Games women’s record—10.85 seconds—in the 100m dash and is the African record holder—22.04 seconds—in the 200m.