24th African Senior Athletics Championships: Nigeria Extends Women’s 4x100m Dominance, Men’s Team Falls Short Again
Divine Oladipupo Narrowly Misses Shot Put Medal
The Nigerian women’s 4x100m relay team reaffirmed their supremacy at the , storming to gold for the fourth consecutive edition and the 14th time in 24 outings.
The quartet of Rosemary Nwankwo, Obi Jennifer Chukwuka, Rosemary Chukwuma, and Miracle Ezechukwu blazed to victory in 42.94 seconds, setting a new Championship Record.
Nigeria held off a spirited challenge from Liberia, who claimed silver, while Ghana settled for bronze.
The victory further entrenches Nigeria’s dominance in the event, a streak that began in 2008 when they dethroned Ghana in Addis Ababa. Since then, the team has faltered only once, in 2016.
In contrast, the men’s 4x100m team endured another near miss.
Just as they did two years ago, Nigeria finished second, clocking 38.70 seconds. Ivory Coast clinched gold in the same time, while host nation Ghana secured bronze with 38.74 seconds.
Nigeria’s wait for a men’s relay title continues, stretching back to 2012.
Elsewhere, Divine Oladipupo narrowly missed out on a second medal in her international debut. Competing in the women’s shot put, she placed fourth with a throw of 17.63m, after earlier winning silver in the discus on the opening day.
Nigeria’s medal tally now stands at three golds, raising concerns that this could become the country’s worst performance in the history of the Championships.
