Team Nigeria showcased remarkable speed and teamwork on Day 2 of the 2025 African U-18 and U-20 Athletics Championships in Abeokuta, completely dominating the girls’ 100 metres events. The national team swept the podium in the U-18 girls’ category and clinched a stunning 1-2 finish in the U-20 girls’ final, solidifying their dominance in the sprint events on home soil.

Miracle Ezechukwu Leads Gold Rush in U-18 Girls’ Final

In the U-18 girls’ 100m final, Nigeria achieved a historic milestone by securing all three podium places. Miracle Ezechukwu spearheaded the charge, clinching gold with a strong finish in 11.88 seconds, despite a slight −0.4 m/s headwind. Her performance outpaced compatriots Chigozie Nwankwo and Mariam Jegede, who followed closely behind with times of 11.96 and 12.20 seconds respectively.

Ezechukwu, who trains in the same group as silver medalist Nwankwo, admitted to feeling nervous before the race. However, she expressed overwhelming joy for how the competition turned out.

“I feel incredibly grateful and happy because I didn’t expect to come out with the gold,” she said. “I was a bit anxious, especially with a strong competitor from South Africa and my own teammate right there. But I believe God saw me through. From the very beginning, I dreamed of becoming the African champion in 2025. I’m filled with gratitude.”

National Youth Games Experience Boosted Ezechukwu’s Confidence

Having participated in the National Youth Games prior to the African Championship, Ezechukwu explained that the experience helped prepare her mentally and physically for the continental stage.

“This feels like the beginning of something big in my athletic journey,” she said. “Winning gold right after competing at the youth games is such a special moment for me.”

Teammates Nwankwo and Jegede Celebrate Their Podium Finishes

Silver medalist Chigozie Nwankwo reflected on their hard work in camp and emphasized the unity among the team members. Despite not winning gold, she viewed her silver medal as a proud accomplishment.

“I have no regrets at all,” she said. “We’ve all trained hard together for weeks, pushing one another every day. In the end, only one person can take gold, and I’m proud that we dominated the event. It’s a collective success.”

For Mariam Jegede, who secured bronze, the moment proved equally fulfilling. At first uncertain whether she had reached the podium, she confirmed her placement after watching the race replay.

“I was pretty sure I came in third, but I didn’t want to get too excited until I saw the official footage. Now that it’s confirmed, I’m even more motivated to train harder and do better in future races,” Jegede stated.

Chioma Nweke Secures Gold in U-20 Women’s 100m

In another brilliant display of speed, Nigeria’s Chioma Nweke emerged victorious in the U-20 women’s 100m final, clocking a commendable 11.65 seconds into a strong −1.9 m/s headwind. Her victory marked another high point for the host nation.

Nweke’s teammate, Success Oyibu, followed closely to claim the silver medal, ensuring Nigeria once again secured the top two spots in a key sprint event. Lou Yonan of Ivory Coast managed to clinch bronze, edging out Nigeria’s Lucy Nwankwo, who narrowly missed the podium with a strong performance of her own.

South Africa Takes Top Spots in U-18 Boys’ Final

While Nigeria celebrated its wins in the women’s sprints, South Africa made their mark in the boys’ U-18 100m final. Mukona Manavhela led the charge for his nation, capturing gold with a time of 10.62 seconds. He was followed by a fellow South African teammate, giving their country a 1-2 finish in the event.

Nigeria’s Clifford Igbigbidje had to wait for confirmation of his performance but was ultimately awarded the bronze medal following a dramatic photo finish. His name appeared on the stadium’s large screen, solidifying Nigeria’s presence on yet another podium.

Kenya’s Clinton Owatinya Stuns in U-20 Men’s 100m Final

In the men’s U-20 100m final, Kenya’s Clinton Owatinya delivered a showstopping performance by securing gold with a time of 10.42 seconds, battling against a −1.7 m/s headwind. His explosive start and consistent speed left his competitors trailing behind.

South Africa’s Karabo Letebele took silver, while Nigeria’s John Caleb surged forward in the final seconds of the race to earn bronze. His perfectly executed dip at the finish line allowed him to edge past another South African runner and add to Nigeria’s growing medal count.

A Strong Statement From Team Nigeria

As the African U-18 and U-20 Championships continue, Nigeria’s sprinters have already sent a clear message about their capabilities. The clean sweep in the U-18 girls’ event and double medal finishes in both the U-20 women’s and men’s events underscore the depth of talent within the national youth setup.

This level of performance not only reflects the success of the country’s athletic development programs but also raises expectations for future international competitions, including the World U-20 Championships and other elite global meets.

Looking Ahead: Nigeria’s Momentum Continues

With the competition still underway, Nigeria’s athletes appear poised for further glory across multiple events, both on the track and in field competitions. The positive energy, strategic training, and unity displayed by the athletes suggest that the host nation could finish atop the medal table when the championships conclude.

In interviews with several coaches and team officials, the sentiment remains optimistic. One of the sprint coaches commented, “These results are the fruit of disciplined training, technical preparation, and mental toughness. The athletes have shown hunger, resilience, and pride for their country.”

Athletics in Nigeria: A Bright Future Beckons

The successful performances by young athletes like Miracle Ezechukwu, Chioma Nweke, and John Caleb demonstrate that the next generation of Nigerian sprinters is ready to take the baton and keep the nation’s flag flying high. With such standout performances at this continental championship, Nigerian athletics may very well be entering a golden era of youth development and global recognition.

As the championships in Abeokuta continue to unfold, all eyes will remain on the talented stars donning green and white. If the opening days are any indication, more podium finishes and record-breaking moments could be just around the corner.