African U18 and U20 Championships: Godbless and Ajayi sprint to 100m titles on Day 2

African U18 and U20 Championships: Godbless and Ajayi sprint to 100m titles on Day 2

Funmilayo Fameso 16:47 - 01.05.2023

Tima Godbless, Kanyinsola Ajayi, and Deborah Oke claimed U20 titles at the African U18 and U20 Championships in Zambia.

Tima Godbless and Kanyinsola Ajayi secured their spots as the best junior sprinters in the continent by winning the 100m titles at the ongoing African U18 and U20 Championships in Zambia.

Godbless made her intentions known of winning the title when she sped to the fastest overall time of 11.43s (-0.9) in the heats. Then she clocked 11.45s (-0.4) to win the final, missing Mercy Nku's Championship Record (CR) of 11.38s.

African U20 Championships 100m medallists, L-R Rejoice Sule, Kalya Murray, and Tima Godbless
African U20 Championships 100m medallists, L-R Rejoice Sule, Kalya Murray, and Tima Godbless

South Africa's Kalya Murray settled for the silver medal in 11.70s, while Godbless's teammate Rejoice Sule finished third in 11.77s.

Kanyinsola Ajayi won the men's category in 10.51s (-1.4), edging out Zambia's Malambo Chongo in 10.54s and South Africa's Matthew Van Rooyen in 10.55s. Kingsley Unorji of Nigeria finished fourth in 10.63s.

Kanyinsola Ajayi crowned African U20 Champion in the 100m
Kanyinsola Ajayi

Ajayi, a Lagos-based athlete, told Pulse Sports earlier in the year that he has his goals set on making the Nigerian World Championships team to Budapest.

Oke claims women's 400m U20 title

Deborah Opeyemi Oke won Nigeria's third gold medal in Zambia, claiming the women's 400m U20 title in 52.67s, far ahead of South Africa's Precious Molepo in 53.14s and compatriot Ada Princess claiming the bronze medal in 54.05s.

Oke claims African U20 title in the 400m
Deborah Oke

Oke, a well experienced quarter-miler at the youth level, was part of Nigeria's historic team at the 2021 World U20 Championships in Nairobi. She had a memorable outing with two gold medals in the mixed 4x400m and women's 4x400m.

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