Day 5 of the African U18 & U20 Championships in Abeokuta was nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster, filled with spectacular performances, hard-fought victories, and a controversial disqualification.
Team Nigeria achieved two more sweeps at the championships in the Girls’ U18 and Women’s U20 200m events, respectively, adding to their dominance in the Girls’ U18 100m and Women’s U20 400m.
Just like she did in the 100m, Miracle Ezechukwu capped her championship masterpiece with a third GOLD medal, powering to a new PB of 23.87s (-0.2). Her training partner Chigozie Rosemary Nwankwo also blazed to a new PB of 24.01s for Silver, while Perezide Sigah rounded out another Nigerian 1-2-3 finish with Bronze in 24.26s.
In the U20 women’s event, Success Oyibu ran a phenomenal race, clocking a new lifetime best of 23.56s to take the GOLD ahead of 100m Champion Chioma Cynthia Nweke, who took Silver in 23.95s, while Lucy Nwankwo completed Nigeria’s dominance with Bronze in 24.24s.
Justice Oratile’s speed endurance kicked in over the latter stages of the 200m U20 Men race as he finished better than the field to win in 21.02s to win GOLD. South Africa`s Sibongakonke Makhaza was second clocking 21.10s, while Kenya`s Brian Akoth finished third in 21.32s.
South Africa’s Mukona Manavhela claimed the sprint double, winning the U18 Boys’ 200m in 21.29s (-0.7), celebrating his third GOLD of the Championships, with Nigeria’s Ibrahim Ajibare taking Silver in 21.64s, and Destiny Egbon earning Bronze in 21.84s.
In the relays, Team Nigeria continued its dominance, winning the GOLD medal in the U20 Women’s 4x400m with a time of 3:37.02s. The quartet of Odot Udoh, Toheebat Jimoh, Anita Enaruna, and Favour Onyah broke the Championship Record set in Ibadan in 1997, finishing almost 8 seconds ahead of South Africa, who claimed Silver in 3:44.99s.
The U20 men’s 4x400m event delivered an Oscar-worthy drama, with the MKO Abiola Sports Complex erupting in waves of emotion. The Nigerian quartet of Victor Sampson, David Akhalu, Gafar Badmus, and Ezekiel Asuquo gave a good account of themselves to cross the line ahead of the Botswana team, which had initially controlled the race in the first three legs.
However, Nigeria and Zimbabwe were disqualified for lane infringements, with the GOLD medal being awarded to Botswana, with South Africa taking the Silver.
Nigeria’s Oseiwe Salami delivered a breakthrough performance in his second international outing, battling tooth and nail to secure Bronze in the U20 men’s 400m Hurdles. South Africa’s Njabulo Matha controlled the race from start to finish, claiming GOLD in 51.48s as Salami fought courageously for the podium.
In the U20 Women’s 400m Hurdles, South Africa’s Tumi Ramokgopa dominated the event, completing the 100mH/400mH double with a GOLD in 57.97s. Mariem El Zahidi of Morocco earned Silver in 1:00.37, and Nigeria’s Chidimma Innocent took Bronze in 1:00.46.
South Africa also won GOLD in the U18 Boys’ 400m Hurdles. Despite a stumble, Myburgh Stiaan finished first in 52.71s. Morocco’s Moussa Banour secured Silver in 53.08s, while Ghana’s Alex Boateng took Bronze in 53.89s.
