The road to the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships is heating up, and if the early results are any indication, African athletes are not just participating—they are dictating the pace.
The 2026 indoor season has exploded out of the blocks, fueled largely by the NCAA circuit where the continent’s next generation of stars is currently sharpening its steel. From historic leaps in the horizontal jumps to blistering speed from West Africa and middle-distance dominance from the East, the depth of talent on display is undeniable.
Here is a breakdown of the headline-grabbing performances from the weekend.
Horizontal Jumps: Global Contenders Emerge
The horizontal jumps have provided some of the most electric moments of January, led by a resurgence in Senegalese field events.
Amath Faye (Senegal) produced a definitive statement at the Elite Indoor Miramas Meeting on January 30. In a high-stakes competition, Faye launched himself out to a massive 16.79m in the triple jump. This performance was significant for three reasons:
1. It equaled the World Lead (WL) at the time.
2. It marked a 10cm improvement on his personal best (PB) and a National record.
3. He defeated elite competition, including Algeria’s Yasser Mohammed Triki (16.70m).
Faye’s trajectory suggests he is evolving from a promising talent into a genuine medal threat for major championships.
Meanwhile, in the United States, Zimbabwe’s Tafadzwa Chikomba is rewriting the record books at Kansas State University. Competing at the DeLoss Dodds Invitational, Chikomba soared to a lifetime best of 8.09m in the long jump. Clearing the 8-meter barrier indoors is a hallmark of elite status, and this mark not only shattered the school record but immediately placed him among the early world leaders.
Sprints: The Nigerian Takeover
If 2025 was a warm-up, 2026 is the main event for Nigerian sprinting. The nation’s depth was on full display at the Bob Pollock Invitational, where the clock was relentlessly attacked.
Kanyinsola Ajayi looks in great shape in his season opener. He dominated the men’s 60m heats at the Bob Pollock Invitational, crossing the finish line in 6.55s. This performance suggests his readiness to build on his impressive form from last year.
Israel Okon proved his versatility, running 6.58s in both the 60m heats and semifinals. He didn’t stop there, making his indoor 200m debut with a commanding win in 20.82s. This season-opening performance ranks him as one of the fastest in the world so far in 2026.
Esther Joseph is the name to watch in the women’s 400m. She stormed to a victory in a lifetime best of 51.36s. This is not just a PB; it ranks her as the fifth-fastest African woman in indoor history. Coupled with her earlier PBs over 200m and 300m, Joseph is rapidly becoming one of the most exciting quarter-milers on the global stage.
Middle Distance: The East African Standard
It wouldn’t be an athletics roundup without mentioning the dominance of Kenya and Morocco in the middle distances.
The standout performance of the month belongs to Kenya’s Gladys Chepngetich. Competing at the John Thomas Terrier Classic, she didn’t just run fast; she made history. Chepngetich clocked a stunning 1:58.81 in the 800m, shattering the National Indoor Record previously held by Pamela Jelimo for 13 years. As the second-fastest collegiate indoor time in history, this performance signals that Chepngetich is ready to challenge for global titles.
On the men’s side:
Brian Kiptum (Kenya) showcased his strength with a 1:46.02 in the 800m, a mark that reinforces the endless depth of Kenyan two-lap running.
Fouad Messaoudi (Morocco) continues to build his legacy in the NCAA, running a competitive 3:53.76 mile at the Razorback Invitational. This performance ranks him among world top 10 mile times so far in 2026
Field Event Focus: Highs and Throws
Nigeria’s Temitope Simbiat Adeshina remains the standard-bearer for African high jump. Holding the National and African Record at 1.97m , her indoor consistency in the NCAA system makes her a critical asset for Nigeria’s field event aspirations.
In the throws, Algeria has a new name to celebrate. Akram Mouaki has reportedly shattered the National Indoor Record in the shot put with a massive heave of 17.72m. While the mark is currently pending official verification and ratification by the federation, it represents a significant breakthrough for Algerian throwing events, signaling that the nation’s field power is expanding beyond the triple jump.
The Bottom Line
These performances are more than just numbers on a results sheet; they are a declaration of intent. African athletes are leveraging the high-performance environment of the NCAA to shatter records and climb world rankings early in the year.
With the World Indoor Championships on the horizon, the momentum is clearly with the continent. Keep your eyes on the splits and the sand pits—this season is just getting started.
