Team Nigeria continued their impressive run in the African Athletics Championships in Douala, Cameroon, adding three medals to her growing collection on Saturday.
Building on the success of Day 1 which saw two gold medals and one silver and bronze, Nigerian athletes secured two silver medals and one bronze on Day 2.
Making his international debut for Nigeria, Goodness Iredia took bronze in the men’s long jump final.
He achieved a mark of 7.75m, narrowly edging compatriot Emmanuel Djoku (4th place, 7.72m).
Lionel Coetzee of Namibia won the gold medal with a jump of 7.78m.
Elsewhere, Sade Olatoye continued her legacy as a dominant force in African hammer throw, securing a silver medal with a throw of 67.72m.
The excitement culminated in a thrilling silver medal for Nigeria’s mixed 4x400m relay team.
The quartet of Emmanuel Ojeli, Ella Onojuvwevwo, Dubem Nwachukwu and Patience Okon-George put in a sensational performance, crossing the finish line in 3:13.72.
South Africa won the gold (3:13.12), while Botswana won the bronze (3:15.93).
Disappointment in sprint races
Unfortunately, Team Nigeria was unable to secure medals in the much-anticipated 100m finals, although the country’s sprinters put in impressive performances.
Kanyinsola Ajayi came close in the men’s race, finishing just off the podium in fourth place with a time of 10.20 seconds.
In the women’s 100m, the absence of Rose Tsukuma and Favor Ofili in the semi-finals opened the door for Gambia’s Gina Bass Bittaye.
Bittaye emerged victorious, defending her title with a time of 11.13 seconds. Olayinka Olajide, the only Nigerian finalist, finished in seventh place.
Look forward
With a handful of Nigerian athletes reaching the finals of their respective events, the team remains hopeful of adding more medals to the board on Day 3 of the event. Championships.
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