NCAA Indoors: Onojuvwevwo Smashes African Indoor 400m Record, Okon Flies Into 60m Final In 6.48
Ogazi, Ajay Race into Final; Ufodiama, Joseph, Nwachukwu Stumble; Ochonogor Falls Short in Long Jump Final
Ella Onojuvwevwo stormed into the record books on Friday, setting a new African indoor 400m record with a blistering run of 50.28 seconds to qualify for Saturday’s NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships final in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The 20-year-old Nigerian shattered the long-standing mark of 50.73 set by Charity Opara in 1988, dipping inside 51 seconds for the second time in a month.
Onojuvwevwo is now the No. 5 400m indoor runner in collegiate history to lead the field into the NCAA final.
Her performance has now made her the overwhelming favorite to become the first Nigerian woman to win the NCAA 400m title, indoors or outdoors.
Onojuvwevwo was one of only three women to break 51 seconds in the semifinals, alongside Madison Whyte of USC, who clocked 50.68, and Sanaria Butler of Arkansas, who ran 50.70.
Her record-breaking run also placed her at the top of the 2026 world list and moved her to joint 18th on the all-time global rankings.
Nigeria’s other representatives, Chioma Nwachukwu and Esther Joseph, missed out on the final, finishing with times of 51.84 and 51.95 respectively.
In the men’s 400m, Samuel Ogazi booked his place in the final with a commanding run of 45.00 seconds, positioning himself as the favorite to take gold.
Meanwhile, in the men’s 60m, Israel Okon became the fifth Nigerian sprinter to break the 6.50 barrier, clocking a personal best of 6.48 to advance to the final. Pre-race favorite Kanyinsola Ajayi also progressed after running 6.51.
The women’s 60m proved less fruitful for Nigeria, with Kelly Ufodiama and Success Umukoro failing to advance. Ufodiama finished 15th overall with 7.27, while Umukoro placed 14th with 7.25.
In the women’s long jump final, Prestina Ochonogor’s hopes of emulating Blessing Okagbare faded as her opening leap of 6.44m, her best of six, secured only fourth place. The title went to Sophia Beckmon, who won with a massive 6.84m effort achieved on her third round effort.
