Team Nigeria produced another electrifying display at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, breaking both the Nigerian U20 record and the African U20 record in the mixed 4x100m relay as the country’s young stars continued their impressive march toward the medals.
The quartet of Tejiri Godwin, Rosemary Nwankwo, Perfect Faye and Miracle Ezechukwu delivered one of the standout performances of the championships, clocking 41.91 seconds to finish second in their qualifying heat and book a place in the final.
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It was not just qualification—it was history.
Their time erased the previous Nigerian U20 record and became the fastest time ever recorded by an African U20 team in the mixed 4x100m relay, sending a strong message to the rest of the field ahead of the medal race.
Nigeria looked out of contention for victory heading into the final exchange, but Miracle Ezechukwu produced a breathtaking anchor leg to transform the race.
The teenage sprinter powered past Germany with remarkable ease before closing rapidly on the United States in the closing metres. Her blistering 10.05-second anchor split turned what appeared to be an ordinary qualification into one of the most memorable performances of the championships.
With the record-breaking run, Team Nigeria now heads into the final brimming with confidence and firmly established among the leading contenders for a place on the podium.
The impressive relay display was complemented by more success on the track.
In the women’s 400 metres, Jecinta Lawrence showed tremendous determination to qualify for the semifinals after clocking 53.97 seconds. She finished in a dead heat for third place with Eni Kuske, with both athletes officially credited with the same time.
Compatriot Faith Ezechukwu also advanced after another composed race, finishing third in her heat in 54.38 seconds to secure automatic qualification for the next round.
Nigeria’s excellent day continued in the field as Precious Opinion booked his place in the men’s triple jump final with a superb personal best of 16.02 metres.
The leap exceeded the automatic qualification standard of 16.00m, making him one of only five athletes to achieve the mark and strengthening Nigeria’s medal prospects in the event.
The latest performances build on the momentum already generated by Jessica Oji, who earlier qualified for the women’s shot put final after topping the qualification round with a commanding throw of 17.56 metres.
With finalists now confirmed in the relay, women’s shot put and men’s triple jump, alongside two semifinalists in the women’s 400m, Team Nigeria continues to emerge as one of the standout nations at the championships.
As the competition enters its decisive stages, the country’s young athletes are not just advancing—they are breaking records, rewriting history and giving Nigerian fans every reason to believe that medals are within reach in Eugene.
