Nigeria kicked off its campaign at the 2026 World Athletics Relays with an impressive record-breaking performance, setting a new African benchmark in the mixed 4x100m event in Botswana on Saturday.
The two-day competition, running from May 2 to 3, brings together 24 countries competing for qualification spots and titles, with the mixed relay event opening the programme in a highly competitive field.
Competing in Heat 1 against strong teams including Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands, the Nigerian quartet delivered a composed and explosive run, clocking 40.24 seconds — a season’s best and a new African record.
The team, made up of Favour Ashe, Jennifer Chukwuka, Chidera Ezeakor, and Maria Omokwe, significantly improved on the previous continental record of 41.44 seconds set earlier this year in Gaborone.
Canada won the race in 40.07 seconds, a time initially considered a world record before Jamaica surpassed it shortly after in another heat. Germany followed with 40.15 seconds, while the Netherlands finished third in 40.20 seconds. Nigeria placed fourth but still progressed.
Although they missed out on the automatic qualification spots reserved for the top two teams in each heat, Nigeria advanced as one of the fastest non-automatic qualifiers, securing a place in both the final and the World Championships.
Their time ranked 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.
Following a strong showing earlier in the year in Gaborone, Nigeria entered the competition with growing confidence, and this latest performance further highlights their rising status in the mixed relay event.
With momentum on their side and a new continental record in hand, the team will now aim for a podium finish in the final on Sunday as the competition continues.
