Nigeria secure four World Championships tickets in Gaborone

Nigerian athletes have once again showcased their talent on the global stage, securing crucial qualification spots for major international competitions. The team's campaign at the 2026 World Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, concluded with significant achievements, including two more tickets to the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing and a spot in the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest.

The mixed 4x400m relay team, comprising Samson Nathaniel, Mary Kudoro, Chidi Okezie, and Patience Okon-George, demonstrated remarkable grit. Despite a close race with South Africa, their season's best performance was enough to secure a coveted World Championships ticket. Similarly, the women's 4x100m quartet, overcoming previous challenges, delivered a season's best in the repechage to book their place in Beijing.

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Nigeria and South Africa swapped positions multiple times during the race, and it took the experience of Okon-George to hold off pressure from third-placed Germany and secure Nigeria’s second World Championships ticket.

While not all events yielded qualification, the overall performance highlights the dedication and potential of Nigerian athletics. The mixed 4x100m relay team's qualification for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship is a testament to their capabilities. These achievements not only bring pride to the nation but also underscore the importance of continued support and development for our athletes as they prepare to compete against the world's best.

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After succumbing to baton exchange errors in the women’s 4x100m on Saturday, the quartet of Rosemary Nwankwo, Obi Chukwuka, Maria Thompson-Omokwe and Miracle Ezechukwu returned for the repechage and produced a season’s best of 42.94s to place second behind France (42.92s, SB) and book their ticket to Beijing.