Onojuvwevwo becomes sixth Nigerian woman to return without a medal in 400m

All eyes were on Ella Onojuvwevwo to deliver Nigeria’s fifth gold medal in the women’s 400m and 15th gold overall by Nigeria in the history of the Championships but wishes refuse to be beggars as the obviously tired 19-year-old failed to fulfil expectations.

She faded badly after coming to the home straight level with Lurdes Gloria Manuel, allowing the Czech athlete to move ahead and win in 51.29.

Onojuvwevwo ended in fifth position (52.61) to become the sixth Nigerian woman to run in the final of the event without winning a medal after Yemi Fagbamila in 2002, the duo of Sekinat Adesanya and Folasade Abugan in 2006, Bukola Abogunloko in 2010 and Edidiong Ofonime Odiong in 2014.

Interestingly, Nigeria remains the most decorated nation in the event with four gold medals won by Fatimah Yusuf in 1990 in a 50.62 Championship record, Olabisi Afolabi (1994), Folashade Abugan (2008) and Imaobong Nse Uko (2021).

Nigeria now stand the risk of not coming back home with a medal for the second straight edition of the Championships and eighth time overall after returning empty handed in 1988, 2000 (did not participate), 2004, 2012, 2016 and 2018.