Oregon 2026: Team Nigeria Book Women’s 4x100m, 4x400m Relay Finals

Team Nigeria secured places in both the women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay finals at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, after impressive performances in the heats.

The women’s 4x400m quartet of Becky Ebiyadi, Jecinta Lawrence, Tejiri Praise Ugoh and Faith Ezechukwu clocked a season’s best of 3:35.28 to advance to the final.

Nigeria finished third in its heat behind Italy and Great Britain but comfortably secured one of the qualifying places for the medal race.

The country also produced another season’s best in the women’s 4x100m, with Ugoh, Lucy Nwankwo, Chigozie Nwankwo and Oluebube Ezechukwu stopping the clock at 43.65 seconds to secure automatic qualification for the final.

Ezechukwu produced a stunning anchor leg to seal Nigeria’s place in the final, recovering from almost 20 metres behind the United States to overhaul the Americans on the home straight.

Nigeria crossed the line in 43.65 seconds, just 0.02 seconds ahead of the United States, which finished fourth in 43.67 seconds.

The impressive relay performances have further boosted Nigeria’s medal hopes at the championships, with the country now set to contest both women’s relay finals.

Nigeria will also have Success Uyibo competing in the women’s 200m final during Saturday evening’s session, alongside the women’s 4x100m relay team.