Athletics: Team Nigeria sets African U-20 record
Team Nigeria continued its impressive campaign at the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, with a record-breaking performance in the mixed 4x100m relay and strong progress across several events.
The Nigerian quartet of Tejiri Godwin, Rosemary Nwankwo, Perfect Faye and Miracle Ezechukwu clocked 41.91 seconds to finish second in their heat and secure a place in the final.
Ezechukwu produced a stunning anchor leg, overtaking Germany and closing rapidly on the United States before the finish. His impressive 10.05-second split helped Nigeria set a new national U20 record and the fastest-ever time by an African U20 team in the mixed 4x100m relay.
The result has placed Nigeria among the leading medal contenders ahead of the final.
Nigeria also enjoyed success in the women’s 400m, with Jecinta Lawrence and Faith Ezechukwu advancing to the semifinals.
Lawrence battled to third place in her heat in 53.97 seconds, finishing in a dead heat with Eni Kuske, who was awarded the same time. Ezechukwu also secured automatic qualification after clocking 54.38 seconds to finish third in her heat.
In the men’s triple jump, Precious Opinion booked his place in the final with a personal-best leap of 16.02 metres in the qualification round.
Opinion surpassed the automatic qualifying mark of 16.00 metres and finished among the top five qualifiers, further raising Nigeria’s hopes of adding another medal to its growing tally.
The latest results build on Nigeria’s strong showing in Eugene, with Jessica Oji already securing a place in the women’s shot put final after topping the qualification round with a throw of 17.56 metres.
With athletes progressing in multiple events, Team Nigeria enters the next phase of the championships with renewed confidence and several opportunities to challenge for podium finishes.
The National Sports Commission’s Director General’s media aide, Kola Daniel, said the performances reflected the team’s determination and growing confidence as the championships continue.
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