Grace Apiafi

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Grace Apiafi (born 27 November 1958) is a former track and field athlete from Nigeria, who competed in the shot put and discus throw events during her career. She represented her native West African country at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, where she did not reach the final in either competition.

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Apiafi is from Zaria, Nigeria. She was a Nigerian Athletics Championships winner in the shot put and discus before being signed to the Wyoming Cowgirls track and field team. [1] In 1984, she was the African record-holder in the discus. [2]

In 1990, Apifi was a collegiate leader in the shot put and discus for the Mt. SAC Mounties track and field team. She held the NJCAA record in the shot put. [3] While a student at Mt. SAC, Apiafi housed Nigerian twins Davidson Ezinwa and Osmond Ezinwa. [4] [5]

Under the name Grace Apiafi-Russ, she began coaching the Pasadena City College track and field team in 1992. [6] [7] As of April 1992, Apiafi became a naturalized United States citizen and planned to compete at the 1992 United States Olympic trials. [8]

International competitions

YearCompetitionVenuePositionEventNotes
Representing Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria
1979 African Championships Dakar, Senegal 2ndShot put13.24 m
1988 African Championships Annaba, Algeria1stDiscus throw50.60
Olympic Games Seoul, South Korea 22ndShot put 15.06 m
10th (q) Discus throw 49.84 m

References

  1. "Wyoming signs five to letters". Casper Star-Tribune. 8 July 1982. p. 30. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  2. "Cougars To Host HCAC's Best in Track". The Daily Herald (Provo, Utah). 8 May 1984. p. 6. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  3. "Good talent in JC division of Fresno Relays". The Fresno Bee. 3 April 1990. p. 19. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  4. "Mt. SAC Twins Enjoy Life in the Fast Lane". Los Angeles Times. 10 May 1990. p. 448. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  5. "TWINS Continued from J16". Los Angeles Times. 10 May 1990. p. 449. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  6. "A hungry O'Rane anchors Lancers". Monrovia News-Post . 19 March 1992. p. 8. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  7. "Area Colleges notebook". Monrovia News-Post. 17 November 1991. p. 8. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  8. "Track Highlights". Monrovia News-Post. 19 April 1992. p. 7. Retrieved 23 September 2025.