Nigeria underlined its dominance in youth athletics on the final day of the third edition of the CAA African U-18/U-20 Athletics Championships, with a series of record-breaking and medal-sweeping performances at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta on Sunday.
Home favourite Miracle Ezechukwu led the charge with a sensational victory in the girls’ U-18 200m final, clocking a personal best of 23.87 seconds to secure her third gold medal of the competition.
Her triumph completed a Nigerian clean sweep in the event, with Chigozie Nwankwo finishing second in 24.01s and Perezide Sigah third in 24.26s.
Ezechukwu, who had earlier won the 100m and 4x100m relay golds, described the championships as “a dream come true,” expressing gratitude to her coach and the event organisers for their support.
The clean sweep momentum continued in the U-20 women’s 200m final, where Success Oyibu raced to victory in a personal best of 23.56 seconds.
She was followed by fellow Nigerians Chioma Cynthia Nweke (23.95s), the U-20 100m champion, and Lucy Nwankwo (24.24s), securing another 1-2-3 finish for the host nation.
“I owe this performance to God and the hard work we put in during camp,” Oyibu said after her win.
Earlier in the day, Nigeria successfully appealed a disqualification in the U-20 men’s 4x100m relay.
The Confederation of African Athletics overturned an initial decision regarding an illegal baton exchange, reinstating the Nigerian quartet of Saliu Toyeeb, Joachim Uyovwiyoma, John Caleb and Malik Oluwatobi, who were awarded the gold medal — Nigeria’s third consecutive title in the event.
Nigeria also made history in the U-20 women’s 4x400m relay, with the team of Odot Udo, Toheebat Jimoh, Anita Enaruna and Favour Onyah smashing a 27-year-old championship record by clocking 3:37.02, finishing nearly eight seconds ahead of South Africa.
The curtain closed on a high note for Nigeria as the U-20 men’s 4x400m relay team of Victor Sampson, David Akhalu, Gafar Badmus and Ezekiel Asuquo shattered the championship record with a time of 3:06.66, capping a glittering final day for the host nation.
Despite Nigeria’s dominance, there were notable performances from other African nations.
South Africa’s Mukona Manavhela completed a golden treble by winning the U-18 boys’ 200m in 21.29s, while Botswana’s Justice Oratile achieved a sprint double in the U-20 category, adding the 200m title (21.02s) to his earlier 400m crown.
In hurdles, South Africa’s Tumi Ramokgopa claimed victories in both the U-20 women’s 100m and 400m hurdles events. Meanwhile, Myburgh Stiaan, also from South Africa, overcame a stumble to win the U-18 boys’ 400m hurdles in 52.71s.
With a flurry of gold medals, record-breaking runs, and team sweeps, Nigeria once again reaffirmed its status as a powerhouse in African youth athletics.