The week of June 22nd to 29th, 2025, was a landmark period for African track and field, showcasing a powerful display of talent with numerous personal bests (PB) and national records. This weekly recap highlights the most exceptional performances from African athletes who dominated sprints, hurdles, and middle-distance events on the global stage.
Sprint Sensations and World-Class Speed
The men’s 100m sprint was a key highlight, with top performances in France and Texas.
- Gift Leotlela (South Africa): At the Montgeron Meeting in France, Leotlela delivered a masterclass, winning the men’s 100m with a new season’s best of 9.98 seconds. This explosive performance also established a new meeting record, cementing his status as a top sprinter.
- Ibrahim Fuseini (Ghana): In Texas, Fuseini showcased incredible versatility at the ATX Sprint Classic. He first won the men’s 100m with a wind-assisted 9.85 seconds (+2.4m/s) before returning just 30 minutes later to win the 200m in 20.15 seconds (+3.2m/s). He is now the all-conditions fastest Ghanaian in history and the 5th fastest all-condition time in African history.
- Mamadou Fall (Senegal): Setting a new Senegalese national record, Fall ran a blistering 10.03 seconds (+0.5m/s) at Stade Du Moulin Boisseau in France. This time represents a significant improvement from his previous week’s PB of 10.16s, demonstrating his rapid progression.
- Ferdinand Omanyala (Kenya): At the Kenyan National Championships in Nairobi, Africa’s fastest man, Omanyala, led the 100m semi-finals with a strong time of 10.09 seconds against a challenging headwind (-1.7m/s).
In the women’s 100m, Liberia’s Thelma Davies made a strong statement at the Ostrava Golden Spike.
- Thelma Davies (Liberia): She ran a new personal best and Liberian National Record of 10.91 seconds (+0.6m/s) to win the event.
- Marie Josée Ta Lou-Smith (Côte d’Ivoire): Ta Lou-Smith was close behind with a solid 10.92 seconds.
- Rosemary Chukwuma (Nigeria): At the ATX Sprint Classic, Chukwuma impressed by winning her heat with a swift 10.93 seconds (+3.9m/s).
Hurdling Heroes and Middle-Distance Dominance
The hurdles and middle-distance events were also filled with record-breaking performances.
- Louis Francois Mendy (Senegal): Mendy secured the men’s 110m hurdles title at the Montgeron Meeting in France with a time of 13.29 seconds.
- Saguirou Badamassi (Niger): Finishing behind Mendy, Badamassi set a new Nigerien National Record of 13.40 seconds.
- Tobi Amusan (Nigeria): The World Record Holder in the women’s 100m hurdles, Amusan, powered to victory at the Ostrava Golden Spike, dominating the field with a time of 12.45 seconds (+1.4m/s). Her consistency at an elite level continues to impress.
In the women’s 800m, the Ostrava Golden Spike meeting saw a competitive and fast race.
- Prudence Sekgodiso (South Africa): The reigning World Indoor Champion ran a new Personal Best (PB) of 1:57.16 to win the women’s 800m.
- Oratile Nowe (Botswana): In a historic run, Nowe set a new Botswana National Record of 1:57.49 to finish second.
- Nigist Getachew (Ethiopia): She secured third place with a time of 1:58.02.
Quarter-Mile Prowess and Hurdles Records
African athletes also excelled in the longer sprints and hurdles.
- George Mutinda (Kenya): At the Kenyan National Championships, Mutinda ran a massive Personal Best (PB) of 44.51 seconds to win the men’s 400m. This performance was a standout as he led two other competitors to also achieve the World Championship qualifying standard.
- Ashley Miller (Zimbabwe): At the ATX Sprint Classic, Miller made history by setting a new Zimbabwe National Record of 56.03 seconds in the women’s 400m hurdles.
Last week’s results underscore the depth and rapid development of African track and field athletes. Their unwavering dedication, talent, and record-breaking performances continue to captivate the athletics world and set the stage for an exciting season ahead.
