Team Nigeria Clinch Three Global Relay Tickets At 2026 World Relays In Gaborone
Team Nigeria Clinch Three Global Relay Tickets At 2026 World Relays In Gaborone
The Nigerian team concluded their journey at the World Relays in Gaborone on Sunday, May 3, by securing two additional qualification spots for the World Athletics Championships in Beijing and obtaining a slot at the first-ever World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest.
On Day One, Nigeria began their competition with a mixed 4x100m qualification after achieving an African record, although aspirations in five other events dwindled. The repechage presented a renewed opportunity, and the team capitalized on it.
In the mixed 4x400m event, the team consisting of Samson Nathaniel, Mary Kudoro, Chidi Okezie, and Patience Okon-George achieved a season’s best time of 3:12.88, finishing in second place after South Africa, who narrowly won with a time of 3:12.77 following an intense battle down the final stretch. Positions shifted frequently before Okon-George held steady against late pressure from Germany, securing Nigeria’s second spot for Beijing.
The women’s 4x100m team followed with a strong performance. After experiencing baton issues the previous day, Rosemary Nwankwo, Obi Chukwuka, Maria Thompson-Omokwe, and Miracle Ezechukwu rebounded with a season-best time of 42.94 seconds, finishing second to France and ensuring their qualification.
The men’s 4x100m relay team did not meet expectations. Favour Ashe, James Emmanuel, Tejiri Godwin, and Chidera Ezeakor recorded a time of 38.50 seconds but ended in third place behind Belgium and Jamaica.
Disappointment marked the men’s 4x400m race as well. Nigeria finished with a time of 3:01.43, falling short of qualification by mere fractions, finishing behind both Spain and Senegal despite strong efforts from Gafar Badmus, Emmanuel Ojeli, Victor Ime, and Ezekiel Asuquo.
The women’s 4x400m team did not participate in their repechage event, resulting in Nigeria having secured a total of three relay qualifications for the World Championships.
Additionally, the mixed 4x100m team earned a position at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship by finishing among the top six in the final, which was won by Jamaica in a world record time of 39.62 seconds.
