The opening week of July, spanning from July 6th to July 13th, 2025, has been nothing short of spectacular for African athletics. Across prestigious Diamond League meets and competitive national events, our incredible athletes have not just performed, but truly dominated, delivering a cascade of personal bests, season’s bests, and even historical records. Let’s dive into the standout performances that have set the track and field world ablaze:
Sprints: Blazing Speed on the Straight!
- Kanyinsola Ajayi (Nigeria) – Men’s 100m: Ajayi had an extraordinary week, first equalling his personal best with an incredible 9.92 seconds (+1.7 m/s) to win the 100m at the Meeting de Sotteville in France. This marks his first competition after the college season, solidifying his return to top form. He decisively outpaced Emmanuel Eseme (Cameroon) (10.04s) and Mamadou Fall Sarr (Senegal) (10.10s). Ajayi continued his winning streak at the Guldensporen Meeting in Kortrijk, Belgium, claiming another victory in 10.09s (-0.3 m/s), with training partner Israel Okon (Nigeria) taking second place in 10.21s.
- Denzel Simusialela (Zimbabwe) – Men’s 100m: Simusialela showcased his rising talent at the Ed Murphey Classic in Memphis, blazing to a new personal best of 20.20s and 10.03s (+1.4 m/s) in the 200 meters and 100 meters respectively, hinting at his own sub-10 potential.
- Abdueaqhman Karriem (South Africa) – Men’s 100m: Karriem impressed at the Meeting Sport e Solidarietà, taking 1st place with a time of 10.17s (-0.2 m/s), after running a fastest heat time of 10.15s.
- Wayde Van Niekerk (South Africa) – Men’s 100m: The Olympic 400m champion made a rare 100m appearance at the Meeting Sport e Solidarietà, clocking 10.26s – his first 100m race since 2020.
- Rosemary Chukwuma (Nigeria) – Women’s 100m: Chukwuma delivered a strong performance at the Ed Murphey Classic pre-program, clocking 10.90s (+3.7 m/s) to take 2nd place in a highly competitive field.
- Makanakaishe Charamba (Zimbabwe) – Men’s 200m: Charamba had an outstanding European season debut at the Meeting de Sotteville, winning the 200m in 20.08s, setting a new meeting record. He then followed this up with a powerful Diamond League debut at the Monaco Diamond League, securing 3rd place in 19.99s against a world-class field.
- Letsile Tebogo (Botswana) – Men’s 200m: Tebogo impressed in the Monaco 200m, finishing a strong 2nd in 19.97s.
- Ibrahim Fuseini (Ghana) – Men’s 200m & 100m: Fuseini had a successful start to his European tour at the Guldensporen Meeting, winning the 200m with a solid 20.37s and also placing 3rd in the 100m with 10.24s.
Middle & Long Distances: Strategic Prowess and Endurance!
- Emmanuel Wanyonyi (Kenya) – Men’s 800m: At the Monaco Diamond League, Wanyonyi delivered a breathtaking performance, leading from gun to tape to set a world-leading time and new meet record of 1:41.44.
- Moad Zahafi (Morocco) – Men’s 800m: Zahafi won the Meeting International de Marseille in 1:44.64.
- Heithem Chenitef (Algeria) – Men’s 1500m: Chenitef claimed victory at the Meeting International de Marseille with an impressive 3:34.48.
- Brian Muange Musau (Kenya) – Men’s 5000m: Musau ran an outstanding race to win the men’s 5000m at the Sunset Tour with a time of 12:59.82.
- Milkesa Fikadu (Ethiopia) – Men’s 3000m: Fikadu secured 2nd place in the men’s 3000m at the Meeting International de Marseille, clocking 7:43.34.
Hurdles & Steeplechase: Precision and Stamina!
- Geoffrey Kipkemoi Kirwa (Kenya) – Men’s 3000m Steeplechase: Kirwa took 3rd place at the Sunset Tour with 8:17.66.
- Evonne Britton (Ghana) – Women’s 100m Hurdles: Britton finished 5th at the Ed Murphey Classic with 12.88s (+2.1 m/s).
- Adaobi Tabugbo (Nigeria) – Women’s 100m Hurdles: Tabugbo ran a blazing 12.93s (+2.3 m/s) in the prelims at the Ed Murphey Classic.
- Ashley Miller (Zimbabwe) – Women’s 400m Hurdles: Miller clocked a stunning 55.09s at the Ed Murphey Classic, setting a new Zimbabwe national record and taking 3rd place.
Jumps: Explosive Power and Aerial Mastery!
- Yasser Mohammed Triki (Algeria) – Men’s Triple Jump: A major shoutout to Triki! He soared to an impressive 17.23m (+1.4 m/s) at the Monaco Diamond League, securing a fantastic 2nd place in a fiercely competitive international field. What a jump!
- Saly Sarr (Senegal) – Women’s Triple Jump: Sarr delivered a monumental performance at the Meeting de Sotteville, achieving a personal best of 14.41m (+1.4 m/s wind) to claim victory. This marks the best jump by a Senegalese athlete since 2004.
- Winny Bii (Kenya) – Women’s Triple Jump: Bii made history at the Ed Murphey Classic, soaring to a new personal best and Kenyan national record of 14.14m, securing 2nd place and boosting her world championships qualification hopes.
- Chengetayi Mapaya (Zimbabwe) – Men’s Triple Jump: Mapaya made a strong return to competition at the Ed Murphey Classic, leaping 17.15m for 2nd place.
- Charles Godfred (Nigeria) – Men’s Long Jump: Godfred jumped 7.90m for 8th place at the Ed Murphey Classic.
- Marthe Koala (Burkina Faso) – Women’s Long Jump: Koala delivered a season-best long jump of 6.75m at the Guldensporen Meeting, securing a strong 2nd place finish.
Other Notable Track Performances: Powering Towards Championships!
- Mercy Adongo Oketch (Kenya) – Women’s 400m: Oketch dominated the women’s 400m at the Meeting International de Marseille, winning with a time of 50.89s.
- Takudzwa Chiyangwa (Zimbabwe) – Men’s 400m: Chiyangwa had a massive personal best of 45.19s at the Ed Murphey Classic Pre-Program, putting him just shy of the World Championship standard.
- Vimbayi Maisvorewa (Zimbabwe) – Women’s 400m: Maisvorewa showcased her talent in the 400m, finishing 4th with a time of 51.08s at the Ed Murphey Classic.
- Chidi Okezie (Nigeria) – Men’s 400m: The veteran Nigerian sprinter showed his enduring class, clocking 45.23s for 2nd at the Edmonton Athletics Invitational.
- Emmanuel Bamidele (Nigeria) – Men’s 400m: Bamidele finished 3rd at the Meeting International de Marseille in 45.59s.
- Haron Adoli (Uganda) – Men’s 400m: Adoli placed 5th in the same Marseille race with 45.59s.
- Joseph Amoah (Ghana) – Men’s 100m: Amoah won his heat in 10.00s (+3.1 m/s) and then claimed victory in the final with 10.11s (+0.3 m/s) at the Edmonton Athletics Invitational.
This past week truly highlighted the incredible depth of talent within African athletics. From established stars to emerging young talents, these athletes are consistently delivering world-class performances and setting new benchmarks. We eagerly anticipate their continued success as the track and field season 2025 progresses towards the world championships!
