Nigeria Storms Track, Wins 11 Medals At African Youth Games
By FRED LONGJOHN OBEH
TEAM Nigeria wrapped up the athletics events at the 4th African Youth Games in Angola in dominant fashion on Saturday, finishing with an impressive haul of 11 medals to underline the country’s growing strength in youth track and field. The Nigerian athletes claimed six gold and five silver medals across sprint, middle-distance, relay and field events.
Nigeria’s sprinting depth was evident in the 100 metres, where Rosemary Chigozie Nwakwo stormed to gold in the girls’ race with a time of 11.77 seconds, beating South Africa’s Oluchi Ndubueze and Morocco’s Maria Saadi. In the boys’ 100 metres, Emmanuel Akolo delivered a strong run to earn silver in 10.76 seconds, finishing behind South Africa’s Micah Africa.
Further success came in the 400 metres, with Hafsoh Bisola Majekodunmi claiming gold in the girls’ event after crossing the line in 55.16 seconds, while David Udoh secured silver in the boys’ race with a time of 47.77 seconds. Nigeria also shone in the field events, as Timothy captured gold in the triple jump and Godswill Anelechi Nkemakolam added a silver medal in the long jump with a best leap of 7.18 metres.
The medal rush continued in the hurdles and 200 metres. Gift Gowon claimed silver in the 400 metres hurdles, while Tejiri Ugoh struck gold in the girls’ 200 metres in 23.95 seconds. Perfect Faye added another silver for Nigeria in the boys’ 200 metres, clocking a season’s best 21.47 seconds. Nigeria rounded off a memorable athletics campaign with gold medals in both the boys’ and girls’ medley relay events.
