Team Nigeria brought its campaign at the World U-20 Athletics Championships in Oregon to a dramatic close on Day 5, with the final session delivering a mix of high expectations, unexpected turns and a memorable conclusion.
Nigeria had entered the women’s 4x100m final with genuine medal hopes following a dramatic qualification.
Success Oyibu was brought into the lineup for the final, joining Lucy Nwankwo, Chigozie Rosemary Nwankwo and Miracle Ezechukwu, with Oyibu set to run the second leg, Rosemary Nwankwo the third and Ezechukwu on anchor.
However, Nigeria’s race ended before the baton could be exchanged. Lucy Nwankwo was adjudged to have false-started, ruling the team out of the final and bringing an unfortunate end to what had been an encouraging relay campaign.
There was also a challenging finish in the women’s 4x400m final, where Faith Ezechukwu, Jecinta Lawrence, Tejiri Ugoh and Becky Ebiyadi crossed the line 8th in 3:36.89.
Despite the final-day setbacks, Team Nigeria leaves Eugene with a historic GOLD medal, multiple finalists, African and National U20 records.
There were also several encouraging performances across the five-day championship.
