Nwankwo powers into World U-20 100m semifinal

Nwankwo powers into World U-20 100m semifinal

...As Nigeria endures mixed relay disappointment on the opening day World U-20 Athletics Championships

Team Nigeria experienced a mixed start to its campaign at the 2026 World Athletics U-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, with Chigozie Rosemary Nwankwo advancing to the women's 100 metres semifinals after the country's mixed 4x400 metres relay team narrowly missed out on a place in the final.

Nigeria's relay quartet of Dominion Udoh, Jecinta Lawrence, Perfect Faye and Faith Ezechukwu opened the championships with a time of 3:26.35 to finish sixth in their qualifying heat. With only the top three teams from each heat progressing to the final, the team bowed out at the first hurdle.

The day's biggest positive came from the women's 100 metres, where Rosemary Nwankwo produced an impressive run to qualify for the semifinals.

The Nigerian sprinter clocked 11.57 seconds to finish third in Heat Three behind Mia Maxwell, who won the race in 11.33 seconds.

It was, however, a disappointing outing for Lucy Nwankwo, who finished fifth in Heat Five with a time of 11.77 seconds, falling short of a semifinal place.

Switzerland's Xenia Buri won the heat in 11.38 seconds, while Poland's Maja Gondek placed second in 11.59 seconds.

Nigeria's focus now shifts to the men's 100 metres, where Gift Bright and Tejiri Godwin will be aiming to secure qualification for the next round and build on Rosemary Nwankwo's encouraging performance as the championships continue.