Nigeria Sets New African Record at World Relays

Nigeria's mixed 4x100 meter relay team commenced their campaign at the 2026 World Relays on Saturday afternoon, achieving a remarkable performance that resulted in a new African record of 40.24 seconds. This record-breaking time was set during a competitive heat that included strong teams from Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands.

The Nigerian quartet, consisting of Ash, Jennifer, Chukwuka, Chidera Ezeakor, and Maria Omokw, significantly improved upon the previous continental record of 41.44 seconds, which was established at the Lefika International Relay in Gaborone in March. Although Nigeria finished fourth in their heat, their time ranked among the fastest non-automatic qualifiers, allowing them to secure a place in the finals.

The team aims to build on their confidence following their impressive performance earlier in Gaborone, reinforcing their status as an emerging force in mixed sprint relay events. The finals are scheduled for Sunday.