Abeokuta: Chioma Nwachukwu and Hafsoh Majekodunmi have won gold and silver medals, respectively, in the women’s junior (U-18) 400m category of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) U-18/U-23 championship.
The CAA championship, held in Abeokuta, Ogun, has 35 African countries participating in the event.
Nwachuckwu had run 52.47s to win the race, while Majekodunmi did 54.43s to emerge second, while Bikes Biset of Ethiopia came third with 55.31s.
Nwachuckwu, speaking with reporters after the event, said she was happy to have won.
She said her next plan is to qualify for the upcoming world championship.
“I zero my mind to get the gold medal at this tournament. In 2023, I won the trial, but I was unable to participate due to my age.
“I will keep doing my personal best to qualify for future tournaments,” she said.
Additionally, Majekodunmi said she was scared before the finals, being her first international outing, but appreciated her compatriot, Nwachuckwu, for encouraging her to be courageous before the event began.
She said the event would spur her to do well ahead of national trials that would also be held in Abeokuta in two weeks.
“This will encourage me ahead of national trials, I know I will be facing the heavyweights, but I am happy with my performance today, and I know I will not be scared again, having had my first international outing,” she said.
Meanwhile, in the Men’s junior (U-18) 400m event, Simeon Araka of Kenya won with 47.46s, while Ghana’s Odjer Tetley came second with 47.87s, and Robert Sang of Kenya came third with 47.89s.