Accra, Ghana – The opening three days of the 24th African Senior Athletics Championships at the University of Ghana Stadium produced a string of unforgettable moments, historic victories and milestone performances, as Africa’s elite runners, jumpers and hurdlers stamped their authority on the continental stage.
Cameroon Dominates the Sprints
In one of the standout events, Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme clinched his first African senior title in the men’s 100 metres, finishing in 10.26 seconds after previous near-misses in past editions. The battle for minor medals was intensely close, with South Africa’s Bradley Nkoana and Nigeria’s Chidera Ezeakor both clocking 10.32.
Shortly before, Cameroonian Hervérge Kole Etame edged Nigeria’s Rosemary Chukwuma in the women’s 100m. Both athletes recorded 11.49 seconds, but Etame took gold, while Liberia’s Thelma Davies claimed bronze in 11.51—a first individual African Championships medal for her nation.
Sprint and Hurdle Glory for Nigeria
Nigeria’s prowess in hurdles was reaffirmed as world record-holder Tobi Amusan claimed her third African Championships title in the women’s 100m hurdles, leading a Nigerian podium sweep with a winning time of 12.83 seconds.
In the men’s 400m hurdles, Botswana took gold and silver with Kemorena Tisang (48.66) and Victor Ntweng (49.21) respectively, underscoring the country’s growing strength in sprint events.
Milestones on the Track
Among the most emotional victories came in the women’s 5000m, where Emeline Imanizabayo delivered a stirring performance to win in 15:46.62, earning Rwanda’s first ever African Championships gold in history.
Kenya also enjoyed a return to the top of the podium in the men’s 10,000m, with Kelvin Chesang clocking 28:30.44, ending a 14-year wait for Kenyan gold in the event.
The middle distances brought drama as Kenya’s Kimtai Kelvin Loti overtook Morocco’s Imad Bouchajda to win the men’s 800m in 1:45.47, with home favourite Ghanaian record-holder Alex Amankwa taking bronze in 1:46.18.
In the women’s 800m, Ethiopia’s Mesgana Zemedkun prevailed in 1:59.02, narrowly ahead of Botswana’s Oratile Nowe. Niger’s Samira Awali Boubakar set a national record of 1:59.63 for bronze.
Field Events and Relays Spark Continental Pride
Legendary South African jumper Luvo Manyonga added a long-awaited continental gold to his resume with an opening leap of 8.15m, while Senegalese athletes Lys Mendy and Amath Faye completed the podium.
In the mixed 4×400m relay, Nigeria’s quartet stopped the clock at 3:16.41, holding off Botswana and Kenya for gold.
Burkina Faso achieved a memorable one-two finish in the women’s long jump with Nikiema Némata posting a lifetime best 6.76m, just ahead of compatriot Marthe Koala. Cameroon’s Nora Atim Monie made history in the women’s discus with a winning throw of 57.00m.
Championship Context
The African Senior Athletics Championships bring together the continent’s top track and field talent. The 2026 edition in Accra is hosted at the University of Ghana Stadium and features disciplines from sprints and hurdles to middle and long distances, relays, and field events.
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