- Nigeria Qualify For 2027 World Championships With Record Relay Run
- Team set new African record despite strong global competition
- Relay teams face tough qualification battles in remaining events
Team Nigeria secured qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in China after reaching the mixed 4x100m relay final at the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone.
The quartet of Favour Ashe, Jennifer Chukwuka-Obi, Chidera Ezeakor and Maria Thompson Omokwe delivered a strong performance, clocking 40.24 seconds on Saturday to seal their place in the final. The time also set a new African record, underlining Nigeria’s growing strength in the mixed sprint relay.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Canada won the heat with a world record time of 40.07 seconds, finishing ahead of Germany at 40.15 seconds and the Netherlands at 40.20 seconds, as Nigeria advanced among the fastest qualifiers.
The qualification provides a boost for Nigeria’s relay programme despite mixed results in other events at the competition in Botswana, where the team continue to chase additional tickets to Beijing.
Nigeria’s campaign was affected by the absence of key athletes Rosemary Chukwuma, Blessing Ogundiran and Anita Enaruna, who were unable to travel for the event. The team missed automatic qualification in the women’s 4x100m, women’s 4x400m and mixed 4x400m events.
However, opportunities remain through last-chance rounds in the men’s 4x100m, men’s 4x400m and mixed 4x400m events. The mixed 4x400m draw presents a tough challenge, with Nigeria set to compete against hosts Botswana, South Africa, Ireland, the Netherlands and Germany for two available slots.
In the women’s 4x100m, Nigeria were pushed into the repechage following a baton exchange error earlier in the competition. The men’s 4x100m team remain in contention in a competitive heat that includes Jamaica, Japan and Belgium, where clean baton exchanges could prove decisive.
Nigeria’s strongest medal prospect remains the mixed 4x100m event, where focus has now shifted from qualification to the final. The team will face top sprint nations including Jamaica, the United States, Canada, Germany, Spain and Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
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