Nigerian women power to triple gold haul in Accra

 ●Rosemary, Jennifer, Rosemary Chukwuma, and Miracle stormed to victory in the 4x100m

By Editor

Nigeria’s women once again carried the nation’s golden hopes on their shoulders, delivering all three gold medals for Team Nigeria at the ongoing African Athletics Championships in Accra.

From the last Solidarity Games to the World Championships in Tokyo and the previous Commonwealth Games, where Nigerian women swept all 12 gold medals, the pattern has remained unmistakable: when medals are needed most, the women rise.

The latest statement came emphatically as the quartet of Rosemary Nwankwo, Jennifer Obi Chukwuka, Rosemary Chukwuma, and Miracle Ezechukwu stormed to victory in the women’s 4x100m relay, clocking a blistering 42.94 seconds to set a new Championship Record.

Nigeria held off a determined challenge from Liberia, who settled for silver, while host nation Ghana claimed bronze in front of an energetic home crowd at the University of Ghana Stadium.

The triumph further cemented Nigeria’s long-standing dominance in the women’s sprint relay, a reign that began in 2008 when the country dethroned Ghana in Addis Ababa.

Since then, Nigeria has stumbled only once, underlining its status as Africa’s relay powerhouse.

The victory also reinforced the growing narrative of Nigerian women consistently delivering on the biggest stages for the country.

At the last Solidarity Games, the women topped Team Nigeria’s medal haul.

At the World Championships in Tokyo, they again provided the nation’s brightest moments, while at the last Commonwealth Games, Nigerian women astonishingly won all 12 gold medals secured by the country.

While the women celebrated another golden chapter, the men’s 4x100m relay team suffered yet another agonising near miss.

For the second consecutive edition, Nigeria finished with silver after clocking 38.70 seconds.

Ivory Coast clinched gold in 38.52 seconds, while Ghana delighted the home supporters with bronze in 38.74 seconds.

The Ghanaian quartet of Edwin Gadayi, Joseph-Paul Amoah, Ibrahim Fuseini and Abdul-Rasheed Saminu produced a spirited performance to secure a podium finish in an electrifying final.

Nigeria’s wait for a men’s relay title now stretches back to 2012, extending a frustrating drought despite several strong performances over the years.

Elsewhere, Divine Oladipupo narrowly missed out on adding another medal to her impressive international debut campaign.

Competing in the women’s shot put, she finished fourth with a throw of 17.63m after earlier claiming silver in the discus on the opening day of the championships.