Ezechukwu Saves Nigeria from Another Relay Heartbreak, Powers 4x100m Team into Final

Nigeria finally escaped the heartbreak that has haunted the country in the women’s 4x100m relay at the World Athletics U20 Championships, securing a place in the final for the first time since 2021 after an extraordinary anchor leg from Oluebube Ezechukwu in Oregon.

Ezechukwu produced what may have been the most important run of Nigeria’s championship so far, covering her anchor leg in 9.81 seconds as she dragged Nigeria back into contention after receiving the baton in fifth position. The Nigerian quartet clocked a season’s best 43.65 seconds to book their place in the final.

With Nigeria initially trailing, Ezechukwu delivered a sensational finish to overhaul the teams ahead and ensure that the Americans did not secure a qualifying position at Nigeria’s expense.

It was a remarkable response from the teenager, who had endured personal disappointment earlier in the championships after being disqualified from the 200m semi-final for a lane infringement under TR17.2.3.

The relay qualification was therefore particularly significant for Ezechukwu, who refused to allow the earlier setback to derail her championship. Instead, she produced the run of her life when Nigeria needed it most.

Nigeria’s return to the women’s 4x100m final also ends a five-year wait. The country last reached the final at the World U20 Championships in 2021, meaning the Oregon qualification represents a major breakthrough for the Nigerian junior sprint programme.

The relief is even greater because Nigeria had suffered painful relay disappointments at the previous two editions.

At the 2024 World U20 Championships, the Nigerian quartet of Justina Eyakpobeyan, Prestina Ochonogor, Favour Onyah and Precious Nzeakor failed to make the final after being disqualified for a rule violation.

Two years earlier, at the 2022 championships, Nigeria’s quartet of Adijatu Rejoice Sule, Praise Ofoku, Adetutu Funmilayo Aladeloye and Obi Jennifer Chukwuka suffered another devastating setback after dropping the baton.

Those failures had created a painful pattern for Nigeria in the event, making Saturday’s qualification all the more important.

This time, however, Nigeria held its nerve.

And when the baton reached Ezechukwu in fifth, the 18-year-old produced a breathtaking burst of speed to rescue the team and keep Nigeria’s hopes of a medal alive.