The outdoor season is still young, but African athletes are already turning heads with impressive performances across sprints, hurdles, middle distances, and field events. From world-leading times and national records to personal bests and historic breakthroughs, this week showed the depth of talent coming from the continent. Here’s a look at the standout results
Women’s Top Performers
– 100m: Rosemary Chukwuma (Nigeria) – 10.81s (+3.1 m/s)
Chukwuma got her outdoor season off to a flying start at the Battle on the Bayou in Louisiana. She clocked a career-best all-conditions time of 10.81 seconds, holding off her training partner Favour Ofili (10.93s) in a strong field. It was a powerful display of early-season speed.
– 100m Hurdles: Adaobi Tabugbo (Nigeria) – 13.03s
Tabugbo put in a solid effort in the hurdles, running 13.03 seconds and continuing to build positive momentum as the season progresses.
– 200m: Kelly Ufodiama (Nigeria) – 22.53s
The young Nigerian sprinter opened her outdoor campaign on a high note at the Florida Relays, posting a personal best of 22.53 seconds (legal wind) that ranks among the early season leaders in Africa.
– 400m: Ella Onojuvwevwo (Nigeria) – 49.59s
This was one of the highlights of the week. At the Battle on the Bayou, Onojuvwevwo ran a world-leading 49.59 seconds — the first sub-50 performance of 2026 anywhere in the world. She broke the LSU record, became the first Tiger to dip under 50 seconds indoors or outdoors, and moved up significantly on both Nigerian and African all-time lists. A truly impressive breakthrough.
– 400m Hurdles: Lovina Ewusi (Ghana) – 57.17s [National Record]
Ewusi set a new Ghanaian national record in the 400m hurdles at the Texas Relays, showing strong form and pushing the standard higher for her country.
– Discus: Anthonett Nabwe (Liberia) – 59.58m
Nabwe delivered a personal best throw of 59.58 meters at the Battle on the Bayou, finishing second in the event and underlining Liberia’s growing strength in the throws.
Men’s Top Performers
– 100m: Busang Collen Kebinatshipi (Botswana) – 9.89s
The reigning 400m World Champion demonstrated his versatility at the Botswana National Championships. He ran 9.89 seconds (legal wind) in both the heats and the final — the first sub-10 performance of 2026 and the current world lead. A remarkable achievement for the Botswana star.
– 110m Hurdles: Serge Taha (Côte d’Ivoire) – 13.67s
Taha turned in a sharp performance over the hurdles with a time of 13.67 seconds, standing out in his competition.
– 150m: Tapiwanashe Makarawu (Zimbabwe) – 14.96s [African Record]
Makarawu produced a big moment at the Miramar Invitational, setting a new African Record of 14.96 seconds on the curve. He finished second overall in a high-quality race and now sits second in the world this season — a significant milestone for Zimbabwean sprinting.
– 200m: Selepe Price Phaezel (Botswana) – 20.08s
Phaezel claimed the national title at the Botswana Championships with a personal best of 20.08 seconds, placing him among the fastest in the world early in the season.
– 400m: Bayapo Ndori (Botswana) – 44.62s
Ndori was dominant at the national championships, running 44.62 seconds in both the semi-finals and final to take the title and remind everyone of his class over one lap.
– 400m Hurdles: Kemorena Tisang (Botswana) – 48.95s
Tisang contributed to Botswana’s strong showing with a solid 48.95-second run in the 400m hurdles.
– 800m: Kethobogile Haingura (Botswana) – 1:44.93s
Haingura looked impressive as he took the national 800m title in 1:44.93 seconds, setting a strong tone for his outdoor season.
– Long Jump: Charles Godfred (Nigeria) – 7.92m
Godfred jumped 7.92 meters (legal wind) at the Battle on the Bayou, delivering a strong field performance for Nigeria.
Conclusion
Botswana’s athletes stood out on the men’s side with multiple national titles and some very fast sprinting, while Nigeria produced several standout efforts in the women’s sprints and quarter-mile. With records broken and personal bests achieved so early in the year, it’s clear that African athletics is in excellent shape as we head toward the major championship season.
Which performance caught your attention the most ? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned for more weekly updates as the outdoor season continues to heat up!
