COLIN ROWSTON
ONE of the fastest men in Australia and a South Australian female athlete in red-hot form headline the start list for this Saturday’s 2021 Nippy’s Loxton Gift Carnival.
Fejiro Omuvwie, who was born in Nigeria and moved to Australia five years ago, became an Australian citizen last year.
The 29-year-old has a realistic aim of representing his new country at the 2021 Olympics, most likely in the 4 x 100m relay team.
His coach, Darren Kynaston, says the Nippy’s Loxton Gift will be an important part of his program this year.
“Fejiro has been working hard in the gym and on the track,” Kynaston said.
“There’s no doubt he is stronger than in the past and he is in the best form of his career. He will compete at Loxton, then at Ballarat before focusing on the national championships.”
In recent times, Omuvwie has competed in races in Queensland, Victoria and South Australia off tight handicaps, with a win in the 2020 Maryborough Gift a highlight. He will line up as the backmarker in the 2021 Nippy’s Loxton Gift and aim to be the first runner in the race’s history to win off scratch by having to run the full distance of 120 metres.
In the women’s main race, 21-year-old Natassia Messent should be hard to beat, having finished third in the 2020 Women’s Bay Sheffield and recently taking out the prestigious 400m Women’s Camden Classic.
“I first ran at Loxton when I was 14,” she said.
“It has an incredible atmosphere and it’s such a great meet.
“Not only do I love competing there, I love getting together with all the athletes afterwards socially. After my Camden win, I know I’ll cop a handicap penalty but I’m running in good form so I’m hopeful of doing well again.”
This year’s carnival marks the final meeting for champion SA sprinter and past Nippy’s Gift winner Clay Watkins.
The 33-year-old has announced he will retire following the Loxton meeting. In addition to the 2013 Loxton Nippy’s Gift, Watkins has won the 2005 Bay Sheffield, 2015 Camden Classic and Tasmania’s 2009 Burnie Gift.
The 2021 Nippy’s Loxton Gift Carnival, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, will run from 5pm to 9.30pm this Saturday at Loxton Oval, with free entry for all spectators.