The halfway mark of the African U18/U20 Athletics Championships in Abeokuta witnessed tons of medals being awarded across all categories as numerous finals took place, with the 400m being the major highlight.
Nigeria women dominated the quarter-mile event in both categories: Chioma Nwachukwu and Hafsoh Majekodunmi finished 1-2 in 52.48s and 54.43s respectively in the U18 category.
Later on, Favour Onyah led a podium sweep in the U20 as Anita Enaruna (52.97s) and Toheebat Jimoh (53.00s) recorded massive Personal Bests (PBs). Onyah’s winning time was 52.47s.
There was an upset in the men’s U20 400m as Botswana’s Justice Oratile took the crown in 45.58s ahead of Nigeria’s Ezekiel Asuquo (45.83s), Victor Sampson (45.87s) and home favourite Gafar Badmus (45.95s).
South Africa completed a 4 for 4 in the short hurdles, sweeping GOLD across every category. Phenyo Miyen stormed to victory in a Championships Record of 13.27s in the U18 Boys’ 110m hurdles. Tumi Ramokgopa won the women’s U-20 100m hurdles in a time of 13.52s.
Field events
Honourable Victor Clement won Nigeria’s first GOLD in the field events, after scaling an equal PB of 2.10m in the men’s U20 High Jump.
South Africa’s Oluchi Ndubueze won the U18 Girls Long Jump event, leaping a distance of 5.79m to claim the victory.
Namibia’s Marika Weitz emerged victorious in the U18 Girls Shot put, throwing a mark of 16.32m ahead of Egypt’s Eab Tamek Alaa (14.58m) and Nigeria’s Emerald Makua (14.30m).
Temoso Masikane of South Africa claimed the U20 Men’s Triple Jump title with a PB of 16.03m.
