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 holding in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has 35 African countries participating in the event.

Ms Nwachukwu ran 52.47s to win the race, while Majekodunmi did 54.43s to emerge second, and Bikes Biset of Ethiopia came third with 55.31s.

Ms Nwachukwu, while speaking with journalists after the event, said she was happy to have won the event.

She said her next plan is to qualify for the coming world championship. 

She noted, “I zero my mind to get the gold medal at this tournament. In 2023, I won the trial, but I couldn’t participate because of my age. I will keep doing my personal best to qualify for future tournaments.’’

Also speaking, Majekodunmi said she was scared before the finals, being her first international outing, but appreciated her compatriot, Nwachukwu, for encouraging her to be courageous before the start of the event.

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. 

(NAN)