Nigeria Opens African Athletics Championships With Double Medal Win

Nigeria’s athletes began their campaign at the ongoing CAA Senior Athletics Championships with the kind of statement that continues to reflect the country’s enduring depth in African athletics, resilient, ambitious, and increasingly difficult to ignore on the continental stage.

Inside the University of Ghana Stadium in Accra, Team Nigeria secured its first medals of the competition through an impressive outing in the women’s discus throw, where Divine Oladipo and Obiageri Amaechi delivered podium finishes for the country.

For Oladipo, the British-born 27-year-old was making her international debut for Nigeria after previously representing Britain at several competitions. Her transition into Nigerian colours immediately paid off, as she produced a performance that announced her arrival and added another layer to the growing influence of Nigerian athletes across global athletics.

Amaechi, meanwhile, continued a remarkable rise that has steadily positioned her among Nigeria’s most reliable field athletes. Since making her debut for the country in 2022, she has consistently delivered on major stages. Her bronze medal in Accra adds to a growing collection that already includes a bronze finish at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and gold at the African Games hosted in Accra a year later.

The double podium finish offered more than early medals for Team Nigeria as it reinforced the country’s continued reputation as a breeding ground for elite athletic talent, with Nigerian women once again standing at the forefront of continental competition.

On the track, Nigeria’s sprint stars also sent strong signals of intent. World record holder Tobi Amusan looked composed and dominant in the women’s 100 metres hurdles, easing into the final with a season-best time of 12.82 seconds. As anticipation builds ahead of Wednesday’s final, the Nigerian hurdler remains the overwhelming favourite to secure a third African Athletics Championships title , another achievement that would further cement her legacy as one of Africa’s finest athletes.

There was drama earlier in the men’s 100 metres heats after Favour Ashe was initially disqualified for allegedly beating the starting gun. Nigeria successfully challenged the decision, leading to a reversal that handed the 24-year-old another opportunity to compete.

Given a solo rerun, Ashe responded with composure, clocking 10.55 seconds to secure qualification for the semi-finals and keep Nigeria’s hopes alive in the event.

He will now compete alongside compatriot Chidera Ezeakor in the semi-final lineup, while Rosemary Chukwuma also advanced in the women’s 100 metres race.

With medals already secured and several athletes progressing into decisive rounds, Team Nigeria’s opening day in Accra reflected a familiar story, one of talent, persistence, and a sporting culture that continues to produce athletes capable of commanding attention across Africa and beyond.