Rosemary Nwankwo has identified a poor finish as the major reason she missed out on the women’s 100 metres final at the 2026 World U-20 Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
The Nigerian teenager narrowly missed qualification after finishing fifth in her semifinal heat in 11.54 seconds, ending her hopes of contesting for a medal in the blue-riband event.
Nwankwo got off to a promising start but struggled to maintain her momentum in the closing stages, an area she admitted must improve going forward.
“I was hoping for the best, but everything happens for a reason. I will say I had a great start, but the finishing wasn’t so good. I will say the finishing failed me,” Nwankwo said after the race.
The sprinter’s assessment highlights the fine margins at the elite junior level, where a strong start must be matched by the ability to maintain speed through the final metres.
Despite the disappointment, Nwankwo remains determined to learn from the experience and use it as motivation to improve her performance in future competitions.
Her fifth-place finish brought her women’s 100m campaign in Eugene to an end, but the experience offers another opportunity for the young Nigerian to develop on the international stage.
Team Nigeria will now shift its focus to the remaining events at the World U-20 Championships, with the country still hoping to make an impact in Eugene.
