Praise Ikweki has won Nigeria’s first bronze medal in the High Jump event at the ongoing 2025 African U-18/U-20 Athletics Championship, at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday.
The event featured the finals of the high jump, triple jump, and 1500 metres as well as the 100 metres heats for both male and female categories.
Ikweki, who competed alongside Melvin Ododo, began at 1.80 metres achieving a perfect record until a near miss at 2.03 metres. He succeeded on his third attempt to advance to the next round.
However, he failed all three attempts at metres after hitting the pole, paving the way for South Africa’s Mateo Le Roux to clinch the gold medal.
In the U-18 Heat One 100m event, South Africa’s Mukona Manavhela finished in 11.38 seconds, just behind Nigeria’s Igbigbidje James Clifford, who clocked 11.44 seconds, with both qualifying for the semi-finals.
Also, Adeola Adeniji Muideen led Heat Two, finishing in 11.08 seconds, while Algeria’s Bouhdila Yasser followed with 11.14 seconds to also book a semi-final spot.
Jayen Foure sprinted to victory in Heat Three with a time of 10.65 seconds, followed by Egbon Destiny Chinedu who finished in 10.85 seconds.
In the female category, Nigeria’s Mariam Jegede won the first heat of the U-18 Girls’ 100m, clocking 12.13 seconds. Congo’s Boukama Gladys finished second in 12.47 seconds, and Ghana’s Darkoah Kwateng came third with 12.64 seconds.
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In Heat Two, Miracle Ezechukwu outran her opponents in the U-18 Girls’ 100m, clocking 11.79 seconds She defeated South Africa’s Oluchi Ndubueze, who ran 11.93s, and Côte d’Ivoire’s Andre Marie Joseph, who placed third in 12.26s.
In Heat Three, Chigozie Rosemary Nwankwo emerged winner of the U-18 Girls’ 100m.
In the U-20 100m heats, Nigeria’s Lucy Nwankwo recorded a new Personal Best of 11.80s to win her heat, while Success Oyibu claimed victory in Heat One of the U-20 Women’s 100m with a time of 11.87seconds
Editor : Ena Agbanoma
