Team Nigeria continued its impressive performance at the African Athletics Championships in Douala, Cameroon, adding three medals to its growing collection on Saturday.
Building on the success of Day 1, which saw two gold, one silver and one bronze medals, Nigerian athletes claimed two silver and one bronze medals on Day 2.
In his international debut for Nigeria, Goodness Iredia vaulted to a bronze medal in the men’s long jump final.
He achieved a mark of 7.75 m, narrowly beating his compatriot Emmanuel Njoku (fourth place, 7.72 m).
Lionel Coetzee of Namibia took the gold medal with a jump of 7.78m.
Elsewhere, Sade Olatoye continued her legacy as a dominant force in the African hammer throw, claiming a silver medal with a throw of 67.72m.
The excitement culminated in a thrilling silver medal for the Nigerian 4x400m mixed relay team.
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The quartet of Emmanuel Ojeli, Ella Onojuvwevwo, Dubem Nwachukwu and Patience Okon-George put in a stirring performance, crossing the finish line in 3:13.72.
South Africa took gold (3:13.12), while Botswana took bronze (3:15.93).
Disappointment in speed tests
Unfortunately, the Nigerian team failed to medal in the much-anticipated 100m finals, although the country’s sprinters showed 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 100 metres, the absence of Rose Chukwuma 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.
Looking to the future
With a handful of Nigerian athletes reaching the finals of their respective events, the team remains optimistic about adding more medals to their record on Day 3 of the Championships.