‘Nigerian’ Udeme Okon wins 400m gold for South Africa

While bonafide Nigerians are still looking to win the men’s 400m gold at the World Athletics U20 Championships for the past 26 years, another ‘Nigerian’, Udeme Okon has secured for South Africa its second straight gold in the competition.

Okon ran Udeme Okon 45.69 to win the gold ahead of two Americans, Jyaden Davis (46.08) and Sidi Njie (46.29).

The 18-year-old has now succeeded Lythe Pillay who won it for South Africa for the first time ever in 2022 in Cali, Colombia.

South Africa has now won the men’s 100m and 400m gold at the ongoing World U20 Championships in Lima and Bayanda Walaza, who made history as the first South African man to win a blue ribband gold could also become the first for the country and second African after Francis Obikwelu to successfully complete a sprint double.

He ran the fastest qualifying time for the final of the 200m which will be run on Friday.

South Africa has now won two gold, one silver and one bronze to sit second on the medal table behind Ethiopia who has won two gold and two silver medals.