2026 AAC Champs: World record holder, Amusan leads Nigeria’s medal rush in Accra
By Uzor Odigbo
World 100mh record holder (12:12) Tobi Amusan was at her continental best after winning the Women’s gold medal at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra.
That was the first sign of success after it appeared Nigeria might not win a medal.
The jubilation that greeted Amusan’s victory was thunderous.
Fans rocked the stadium for making the country proud with their outstanding performances at the continental stage.
Nigeria won additional gold and silver medals in women’s hammer throw.
For Amusan, the race she won with 12.83 seconds was her first major competition this season and it turned out to be a good starting point for her. Zimbabwe’s Ashley Miller took the silver with a time of 13.24secons while Adaobi Tabugbo took the bronze with a time of 13.26 seconds.
The women’s 100m that followed ended in chaos. Rosemary Chukwuma who was thought to have won the race was pushed to the silver position.
Twenty meters to the finish line she maintained a slim lead, but technical officials had a hard time determining between her and Cameroon’s Harverge Kole Etame. However, after two checks on the photo finish print out it was determined that Kole Etame had the slightest advantage much to the disappointment of Chukwuma who had celebrated thinking she won her first African title. They both clocked 11.48 secs. Chukwuma felt like a striker who had his wonderful goal struck out by the Video Assistant Referee.
In the men’s 100m, Nigeria’s chances of winning the gold also evaporated. Cameron’s Emmanuel Eseme retained his title with a time of 10.25secs.
South Africa Bradley Nkoana came second with 10.31 and Chidera Ezako with 10.33 powered to the bronze. Accra perhaps appears to be unfavorable to Ashe Favour as he failed to make the final.
But later in the day, Nigerian 4x400m mixed relay quartet put the smile back on the faces of Nigerian officials after the 100m disappointment. Ezekiel Asuquo made a good start. He handed over to Salamatu Jimoh in the third position, but the petite Jimoh, another “Pocket Rocket” in the making, surprised everyone by storming into the lead handing over to Victor Imeh who sustain the advantage before handing over to Patience Okon George who never looked back as she raced to the gold.
“I’m super excited to win a gold medal at my first African Championships appearance. We have to fight our way back to win the gold medal, it was a fantastic race for the team.”
