Nwachukwu Becomes Seventh Nigerian Woman Under 52 Seconds
Chioma Nwachukwu delivered a breakthrough performance at the New Mexico Classic in Albuquerque on Saturday, clocking a lifetime best of 51.93 seconds in the women’s 400m.
Her run secured third place in the race and elevated her into the top tier of African quarter-milers this season.
The 19-year-old’s time is the fourth fastest by an African athlete in 2026 and makes her the fourth African woman to dip under 52 seconds this year.
She joins compatriot Esther Elo Joseph, who leads the continental rankings with 51.36, Egypt’s Bassant Hemida (51.72), and Zimbabwe’s Vimbayi Maisvorewa (51.36).
Nwachukwu’s achievement also places her in Nigerian athletics history, as she becomes only the seventh woman from the country ever to break the 52-second barrier in the event.
