Nigeria dominates African U20 Athletics as the nation’s young sprinters delivered an emphatic display at the ongoing CAA U-18 and U-20 Athletics Championships, held in Abeokuta. Thursday’s 100m finals were a spectacle of speed and dominance as Nigerian athletes stormed to the podium in both age categories, reinforcing the country’s strength in youth sprinting.
At the MKO Abiola Stadium, the roar of the home crowd fueled a series of electric performances that saw Nigeria claim every medal in the U-18 girls’ 100m final and finish 1-2 in the U-20 women’s race.
Full Sweep for Nigeria in U-18 Girls’ 100m Final
In a historic moment for Nigerian athletics, Miracle Ezechukwu led a clean sweep in the U-18 100m final, crossing the line in 11.88s (-0.4 m/s). She was followed by Chigozie Nwankwo, who clocked 11.96s for silver, and Mariam Jegede, who rounded out the podium with a time of 12.20s.
An emotional Ezechukwu described the win as a defining moment in her young career.
“I was nervous before the race, especially with the competition around me. But I just told myself this was my time. I’m grateful to God and proud to call myself an African champion,” she said.
U-20 Women’s Race Ends in Another Nigerian 1-2 Finish
In the U-20 category, Chioma Nweke soared to victory with a time of 11.65s (-1.9 m/s), sealing another gold for Nigeria. Success Oyibu followed closely to take silver. Although Nigeria narrowly missed another clean sweep, finishing just outside third place, the result still underscored the country’s continued sprinting dominance.
Ivory Coast’s Lou Yonan secured the bronze, preventing an all-Nigerian podium but acknowledging the hosts’ superior depth.
Bronze Finishes for Nigerian Boys in U-18 and U-20 100m
In the U-18 boys’ 100m final, South Africa claimed the top two spots, but Clifford Igbigbidje brought Nigeria onto the podium with a well-fought bronze.
Later in the U-20 men’s race, Kenya’s Clinton Owatinya raced to gold in 10.42s (-1.7 m/s), while Nigeria’s John Caleb timed his finish perfectly to claim bronze, continuing the medal haul for the hosts.
NSC Incentivizes Medals with Cash Rewards
In a bid to further motivate young athletes, the National Sports Commission (NSC) announced cash rewards for every medal won at the championship. Athletes will receive ₦1 million for gold, ₦750,000 for silver, and ₦500,000 for bronze.
NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director General Bukola Olopade announced the day’s events. Both leaders commended the team’s performance and emphasized the importance of investing in youth development.
“These athletes have shown incredible discipline and passion. This reward is not just for now, but to build a future generation of champions for Nigeria,” Olopade said.
Ogun State Praised for Sports Revival
The championship has also placed Ogun State in the national spotlight for its revived sports infrastructure and successful hosting of the international event. Governor Dapo Abiodun received praise from stakeholders for transforming Abeokuta into a functional sporting hub capable of hosting continental events.
“This is what sports production should look like,” Olopade said. “Not just travelling for events, but building the facilities to bring Africa here. Governor Abiodun is raising the bar.”
The newly renovated MKO Stadium and seamless logistics have earned the state accolades, especially following the well-reviewed Gateway Games 2024 earlier in the year.
Nigeria’s Bright Future in Athletics
With multiple medals already secured and more events to come, Nigeria dominates African U20 Athletics not only with podium finishes but also with renewed hope for global representation at the Commonwealth Games and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Athletes like Ezechukwu, Nweke, and Igbigbidje are proving that Nigeria’s grassroots sports pipeline is stronger than ever. With institutional support, motivated athletes, and world-class talent emerging from camps across the country, the sprinting future looks promising.
As the championship continues in Abeokuta, all eyes remain on Team Nigeria to see how far this golden generation can go.
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