Nigeria Shines on Final Day of African U18/U20 Athletics Championships in Ogun c.

ABEOKUTA, Nigeria – The curtain fell on the African U18/U20 Athletics Championships in Abeokuta on Sunday, July 20, with thrilling performances that underscored Africa’s rising athletic talent. Host nation Nigeria, along with Kenya and South Africa, delivered strong showings in front of an energized crowd at the MKO Abiola International Stadium.

In one of the day’s standout moments, Kenya’s Araka Simeon surged to victory in the U18 men’s 400 meters final, clocking 47.46 seconds. Simeon edged out Ghana’s Philip Odjer (47.87s) and fellow Kenyan Robert Sang (47.89s), showing Kenya’s continued strength in sprint events.

But Nigeria wasn’t to be outdone. In the U18 women’s 400 meters, the home crowd roared as Chioma Jennifer Nwachukwu stormed to gold with an impressive 52.47 seconds, while compatriot Hafsoh Majekodunmi followed closely for silver in 54.43s. Ethiopia’s Biset Banchalem rounded out the podium in 55.31s.

Beyond the track, the medal standings told a story of intense continental rivalry. South Africa topped the gold medal chart with 14 titles—9 from U18 and 5 from U20 categories—bringing their total medal count to 22. Nigeria matched that total with 6 golds and a string of strong finishes across events. Kenya followed with 16 medals, including 5 golds, highlighting the depth of competition among Africa’s athletics powerhouses.

As the championships concluded, attention turned toward the future. With the LOS Angeles  2028 Olympics on the horizon, this continental meet proved vital in exposing young athletes to high-stakes competition and paving the way for Africa’s next generation of champions.

Relay finals, hurdles, and middle-distance races brought the event to a close on Sunday, with fans celebrating a championship rich in talent, ambition, and continental pride.