Nigeria began their campaign at the 2026 World Athletics Relays with a record-breaking performance on Saturday afternoon, setting a new African mark in the mixed 4×100 metres event in Botswana, PUNCH Online reports.
The competition, staged from May 2 to 3, features 24 federations battling for qualification places and honours, with the mixed relay opening proceedings in what is expected to be a fiercely contested meet.
Drawn in Heat 1, Nigeria faced a strong field that included Canada, Germany and the Netherlands, but rose to the occasion with a composed and explosive display to clock 40.24s — a season’s best and a new African record.
The quartet of Favour Ashe, Jennifer Chukwuka, Chidera Ezeakor and Maria Omokwe improved significantly on their previous continental record of 41.44s, set at the Lefika International Relays in Gaborone in March.
Canada won the heat in 40.07s, a time initially recognised as a world record before it was eclipsed minutes later in a subsequent race by Jamaica, while Germany followed with 40.15s.
The Netherlands placed third in 40.20s, with Nigeria finishing fourth but doing enough to advance.
Despite missing out on the automatic qualifying spots reserved for the first two teams in each heat, Nigeria’s time ranked among the fastest non-automatic qualifiers, securing their place in both the final and qualification for the World Championships.
Their performance placed them fifth overall heading into the final, behind Jamaica, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands, but ahead of teams such as the United States, Spain and Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Nigeria entered the competition with growing confidence following their impressive outing in Gaborone earlier in the year, and their latest performance further reinforced their status as one of the emerging forces in the fast-growing mixed sprint relay event.
With momentum on their side and a newly established continental benchmark, the Nigerian team will now look to challenge for honours in the final on Sunday as the World Relays continue in Botswana.
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