_Repechage keeps hope alive for other teams_
Nigeria’s mixed 4x100m relay team has secured qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in China following an impressive display at the ongoing World Relays in Gaborone.
The quartet of Favour Ashe, Jennifer Chukwuka-Obi, Chidera Ezeakor, and Maria Thompson, clocked 40.24 seconds to finish fourth in Heat 1 on Saturday.
Their remarkable performance shattered the previous African record in the event, marking yet another milestone for Nigerian athletics on the global stage.
Nigeria remained firmly in contention for a podium finish heading into the final exchange but narrowly slipped behind in a fiercely competitive race that saw a new world record set. Canada stormed to victory with a time of 40.07 seconds, followed by Germany in 40.15 seconds and the Netherlands in 40.20 seconds.
Despite finishing just outside the top three, Nigeria’s time was enough to guarantee qualification for next year’s global showpiece in China.
Speaking on the team’s performance, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, praised the athletes’ resilience and progress.
“This performance reflects the growing strength and determination amongst the team heading into the World Relays. Breaking an African record on such a stage and securing qualification is no small feat. It shows that with continued support and belief, our athletes are capable of achieving even greater success on the world stage.”
In the women’s 4x400m, Nigeria fielded a youthful and relatively inexperienced team that delivered a season-best performance of 3:30.71, their fastest time this year.
The team will return on Sunday to compete in Heat 1 of the repechage, aiming to secure automatic qualification for the World Championships.
Similarly, the men’s 4x400m team will have another opportunity to book their place in China as they compete in Heat 1 of the repechage. The quartet of Gafari Badmus, Emmanuel Ifeanyi Ojeli, Victor Sampson, and Ezekiel Asuquo posted a season’s best of 3:01.04 to finish sixth in their heat.
In the men’s 4x100m event, the team of Favour Ashe, James Taiwo Emmanuel, Tejiri Godwin, and Chidera Ezeakor recorded a season-best time of 38.31 seconds, finishing fifth in their heat. South Africa claimed victory in 37.68 seconds, with Ghana narrowly edging Nigeria for fourth place in 38.19 seconds.
With qualification secured in the mixed relay and renewed opportunities ahead in other events, Nigeria’s relay teams continue to inspire hope and signal a promising future on the global athletics stage.
