Saguirou Badamassi at the African Championships in Accra (© Monirul Bhuiyan)
Ivory Coast stormed to a historic gold in the men’s 4x100m relay as the intensity at the African Championships in Accra reached new heights on Friday and Saturday (15-16). More medals were decided and several standout performances lit up the University of Ghana Stadium ahead of the final day of competition on Sunday (17).
The Ivory Coast quartet set a national record of 38.52 to claim their first-ever African title in the event. Nigeria secured silver in 38.70, while hosts Ghana delighted the home crowd with bronze in 38.74.
Nigeria maintained their dominance in the women’s 4x100m, clinching a fourth consecutive African title in 42.94. Liberia, anchored brilliantly by Thelma Davies, upgraded from bronze in Douala to silver this time with 43.03, while Ghana once again claimed bronze in 44.85.
Ethiopia asserted their strength in the race walks, beginning with the men’s 20km event where Misgana Wakuma led from the front to win in 1:18:47, ahead of Kenya’s Stephen Ndangiri Kihu (1:20:01) and Wakuma ‘s Ethiopian compatriot Yasin Abduselam Abdulwahab (1:21:07).
The Ethiopian dominance continued in the women’s race, as Wubalem Shugut Fonkamo edged Kenya’s Silvia Jerono Kemboi in a closely contested finish, 1:33:31 to 1:33:44. Algeria’s Souad Azzi took bronze in 1:34:28.
Kenya’s Diana Wanza delivered a commanding performance in the women’s 10,000m, clocking 31:33.26 to finish more than 10 seconds ahead of Rwanda’s Florence Niyonkuru (31:43.73), while Ethiopia’s Asefu Abrha Kiros claimed bronze in 31:45.91.
One of the biggest upsets of the championships came in the 110m hurdles, where Niger’s national record-holder Saguirou Badamassi stunned defending champion Louis François Mendy of Senegal to claim victory in 13.73, earning Niger their first medal of the championships. Mendy settled for silver in 13.81, while Egypt’s Youssef Badawy Sayed took bronze in 13.82, narrowly edging Botswana’s Kemorena Tisang.
Attention then shifted to the sprints, the 200m heats and semifinals setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling final day.
Botswana’s Selepe Prince Phaezel emerged as the fastest men’s qualifier, winning his semifinal in 20.45 ahead of Senegal’s Mouhamed Ba (20.81) and Gabon’s Guy Maganga Gorra (20.84). Ivory Coast’s 2024 NCAA champion Cheickna Traore impressed with 20.47 to win his semifinal ahead of South Africa’s Mihlali Xhotyeni (20.72) and Nigeria’s Chidi Okezie (20.97).
Home favourite Joseph Paul Amoah booked his place in Sunday’s final by winning the opening semifinal in 20.79, with Botswana’s Kevin Lobatlamang also progressing automatically in 20.83.
In the women’s 200m, Nigeria’s Rosemary Chukwuma responded strongly after missing out in the 100m, cruising to victory in her semifinal and posting the fastest overall qualifying time of 23.24. She finished ahead of The Gambia’s Isatou Sey (24.15) and Nigeria’s Aishatu Jaffar (24.19).
Ivory Coast’s Maboundou Koné was close behind, clocking 23.26 in her semifinal. Egypt’s Maram Mahmoud Ahmed (23.61), Zambia’s Niddy Minglishi (23.74) and South Africa’s Joviale Mbisha (23.98) also advanced. The Gambia’s Nyimasata Jawneh (23.58) and Liberia’s Symone Darius (23.67) completed the list of automatic qualifiers.
Benin’s world finalist Odile Ahouanwanou won her third consecutive heptathlon title, earning her nation’s first medal of the championships with a total of 5309. South Africa’s Enya Pooler (5255) and Cameroon’s Adele Mafogang (5227) completed the podium.
South Africa continued to impress in the field events, with Colette Uys upgrading from bronze in Douala to gold in the shot put thanks to her best throw of 17.63m. Cameroon’s Carine Mekam Ndo (16.71m) and Kenya’s Belinda Adhiambo (16.39m) finished second and third, respectively.
Egypt celebrated a 1-2 finish in the men’s hammer throw. Mostafa Elgamel claimed gold with 72.58m, while his teammate Ahmed Tarek Ismail took silver with 68.27m. South Africa’s Tshepang Makhethe earned bronze with 67.27m.
Senegal’s Amath Faye produced late drama in the men’s triple jump, overcoming three fouls before landing a massive PB of 17.00m on his final attempt to secure gold. Mauritius’ Adel Cupidon took silver with 16.61m, just one centimetre ahead of Benin’s Yoan Michel Sourou.
South Africa dominated the pole vault events. Valco Van Wyk won the men’s title as the only athlete to surpass 5.00m, clearing 5.40m, while Ansume de Beer claimed the women’s crown with 4.30m.
Egypt added another gold in the women’s javelin through 18-year-old Aseel Osama Abdel Hamid, whose second-round throw of 60.97m proved unbeatable. Cape Verde’s Arianne Duarte Morais claimed silver with 56.43m, while South Africa’s Jana van Schalkwyk took bronze with 54.36m.
In the women’s high jump, South Africa’s Kristi Snyman soared to gold with a clearance of 1.84m, while Ghana’s Esther Obenewaa delighted the home fans with silver after clearing 1.81m.
With the 200m and several other marquee events still to come, the stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to the championships in Accra.
Yemi Galadima for World Athletics
