Nigeria's Mixed Relay Team Qualifies for 2027 Championship

Team Nigeria's mixed 4x100m relay team secured a spot at the 2027 World Athletics Championship in China after an impressive performance at the ongoing World Relay in Gaborone. The quartet, consisting of Ash Jennifer, Chukwuka Obi, Chidera Ezeakor, and Maria Thompson, clocked a time of 40.24 seconds, finishing fourth in heat 1 on Saturday.

This remarkable performance shattered the previous African record for the event, marking a significant milestone for Nigerian athletics on the global stage. Despite narrowly missing a podium finish, Nigeria's time was sufficient to guarantee qualification for the championship.

Bukola Olopade, the Director General of the Nigerian Sports Commission (NSC), praised the athletes for their resilience and progress, reflecting the growing strength and determination of the team. Additionally, the women's 4x400m team delivered a season-best performance, while the men's 4x400m team will also compete in the repechage to secure their qualification for the World Championship.