Akwa Ibom athletes made a strong impression at the recently concluded African Junior Athletics Championship held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, clinching a total of four medals—two gold, one silver, and one bronze—for Team Nigeria.
Victor Ime, Odot Effiong, and Ezekiel Asuquo were standout performers, each delivering exceptional results in their respective events.
In the women’s 4x400m relay, Odot Effiong Udo ran a brilliant first leg, setting the pace for Team Nigeria to emerge champions and secure the gold medal ahead of their African counterparts.
Victor Ime contributed significantly in the 4x400m mixed relay, where he and his teammates powered Nigeria to another gold medal victory. He also impressed in the individual U-20 boys’ 400m, earning a bronze medal with a solid time of 45.87 seconds.
Meanwhile, Ezekiel Asuquo raced to a silver medal in the same 400m category, clocking a personal best of 45.83 seconds, underlining his growing status in junior athletics.
Together, the trio of Ime, Effiong, and Asuquo added to Nigeria’s medal haul and highlighted Akwa Ibom’s rising dominance in the track and field arena.
In a related development, another promising athlete from Akwa Ibom, Jacinta Andrew Lawrence, is currently in Algeria, representing Nigeria at the ongoing African School Sports Championship, further underscoring the state’s growing influence in continental athletics.
Speaking on the recent achievements, athletics coach Daniel Umoette praised the dedication and work ethic of Akwa Ibom athletes. He noted that their impressive form is a result of consistent training and expressed confidence that they will continue to perform excellently in future competitions.
Source: Mfon Patrick, FRCN, UYO
