Nwankwo Reaches World U-20 100m Semi-finals As Team Nigeria Make Mixed Start In Eugene

Team Nigeria made a mixed start to the 2026 World Athletics U-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, on Wednesday, with Rosemary Nwankwo progressing to the women’s 100 metres semi-finals, while the country’s mixed 4×400 metres relay team failed to reach the final.

Nigeria’s relay quartet of Dominion Udoh, Jecinta Lawrence, Perfect Faye and Faith Ezechukwu opened the nation’s campaign by finishing sixth in their qualifying heat with a time of 3:26.35. Only the top three teams in each heat advanced, bringing Nigeria’s hopes in the event to an early end.

The highlight of the opening day came in the women’s 100 metres, where Rosemary Nwankwo delivered a composed performance to book her place in the semi-finals.

The Nigerian sprinter clocked 11.57 seconds to finish third in Heat Three behind the United States’ Mia Maxwell, who won the race in 11.33 seconds, securing automatic qualification for the next round.
It was a less successful outing for compatriot Lucy Nwankwo, whose campaign ended in the heats after she finished fifth in Heat Five in 11.77 seconds.

Switzerland’s Xenia Buri claimed victory in the race with a time of 11.38 seconds, while Poland’s Maja Gondek placed second in 11.59 seconds.

Attention now turns to the men’s 100 metres, where Nigeria’s Gift Bright and Tejiri Godwin will be aiming to secure places in the next round and build on Rosemary Nwankwo’s encouraging performance as the championships continue in Oregon.