Team Nigeria delivered an impressive performance in athletics at the ongoing 4th African Youth Games in Angola, finishing second on the medals table with a total of 11 medals; six gold and five silver.
South Africa topped the athletics standings after a dominant outing across multiple events.
The Games, running from December 10 to 20, have seen Nigeria field a 19-member athletics squad, comprising 10 female and nine male athletes, as part of an 86-strong contingent competing across 12 sporting events.
Athletics Begins with Strong Nigerian Presence
Athletics action officially commenced in Angola with Nigerian athletes competing in events including the 100m and 400m on the African Youth Games Day 1.
Nigeria’s sole representative in the Boys’ 100m, Emmanuel Akolo, made a strong statement by winning Heat 3 in 10.74 seconds, the third-fastest time overall.
South Africa’s Micah Africa led the standings after winning Heat 1 in 10.59s, while Bayo Buba of Gambia took Heat 2 in 10.62s.
Golden Performances on the Track
Nigeria’s medal haul was dominated by several outstanding gold-medal performances.
Tejiri Ugoh clinched gold in the Girls’ 200m, storming to victory in 23.95s, ahead of South Africa’s Isabella Gunter (25.38s) and Gambia’s Njie Adama (26.01s).
In the Boys’ 200m, Nigeria’s Perfect Faye claimed silver in 21.47s, finishing behind South Africa’s Jayden Fourie, who won gold in 20.88s.
In the Girls’ 400m, Hafsoh Majekodunmi delivered another gold for Nigeria, crossing the line in 55.16s, ahead of Ethiopia’s Desta Kurni (56.74s) and Congo’s Maguerita Athouaby (58.22s).
Silver Success in Boys’ Events
The Boys’ 400m was won by South Africa’s Fairlie Jaydon in 47.66s, while Nigeria’s David Udoh secured silver in 47.77s.
Ghana’s Agyaemang Evans completed the podium with bronze in 48.23s.
Nigeria also claimed silver in the Boys’ Long Jump, where Godswill Anelechi Nkemakolam recorded a best leap of 7.18m.
South Africa’s Jayden Fourie won gold with 7.59m, his second gold medal of the competition, while Algeria’s Leith Bencharef took bronze.
Nigeria Dominate the 100m Podiums
Nigeria enjoyed double podium finishes in the 100m events.
In the Girls’ 100m final, Rosemary Chigozie stormed to gold in 11.77s, ahead of South Africa’s Oluchi Ndubueze (12.12s), with Morocco’s Maria Saadi (12.27s) taking bronze.
The Boys’ 100m was won by South Africa’s Micah Africa in 10.67s, while Nigeria’s Emmanuel Akolo claimed silver in 10.76s. Namibia’s Mouton Miheshco rounded off the podium in 10.78s.
Dominant Heats Ahead of Finals
Nigeria’s strength was evident even in the heats. Hafsoh Majekodunmi won her Girls’ 400m heat in 55.96s, while David Udoh posted the fastest overall time across all Boys’ 400m heats, clocking 48.44s.
Earlier, Rosemary Chigozie had announced her intent by winning Heat 2 of the Girls’ 100m in 11.88s, the second-fastest time overall.
Ghana’s Comfort Mensah led the heats with 11.83s, while Morocco’s Maria Saadi (12.04s) finished ahead of South Africa’s Oluchi Ndubueze (12.12s) in Heat 1.
Medals Across Other Sports
Beyond athletics, Team Nigeria has continued to collect medals across several disciplines.
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Beach Volleyball: Gold medal
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Badminton: 1 Gold (Mixed Doubles), 2 Silver, 3 Bronze
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Golf: Bronze medal won by Josephine Clement Benjamin
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Swimming: Bronze medal claimed by Aidan Dumuje Abili in the 50m Backstroke
