The path to the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Toruń, Poland, is heating up, and if this past week (January 23–25) is any indication, African nations are arriving with serious medal intent across the board. While East African distance dominance is a given, this weekend’s action in Europe and the United States highlighted a massive surge in technical events—throws, jumps, and sprints—signaling the continent’s growing depth.
From national records in the shot put to world-leading consistency in the triple jump, here is a breakdown of the standout African performances from the weekend of January 23–25, 2026, and what they mean for the global indoor landscape.
Field Events: Power & Precision
Women’s Shot Put: A Historic Mark for De Klerk
- Perfomance: 18.37m | Rank: World #7 | Record: African Indoor Record
- Athlete: Miné De Klerk (RSA)
- Venue: Mark Colligan Memorial – Lincoln, NE (USA) | Jan 24
The Significance: South Africa’s Miné De Klerk produced the headline field performance of the weekend, unleashing a massive 18.37m throw. This mark is not only a personal breakthrough but stands as a new African Indoor Record, surpassing the previous continental standards. By breaking the 18-meter barrier so decisively, De Klerk moves into the global top 8, signaling that she is a legitimate finalist contender for the World Indoor Championships. It is a rare and welcome sight to see an African woman challenging the traditional European and American strongholds in the throws.
Men’s Shot Put: Enekwechi on the Podium
- Performance: 20.82m | Rank: World #2
- Athlete: Chukwuebuka Enekwechi (NGR)
- Venue: Orlen Cup – Łódź (Poland) | Jan 25
The Significance: Competing in Poland against a high-caliber European field, Nigeria’s “Chuk” Enekwechi wasted no time asserting his form. His toss of 20.82m secures him the World #2 spot early in the season. Enekwechi has been a model of consistency for African throwing, and hitting near-21 meters in January suggests he is dialed in for a medal push. His ability to perform in Poland—the host country for upcoming global events—bodes well for his championship prospects.
Men’s Triple Jump: The Algerian Standard
- Performance: 16.54m | Rank: World #3
- Athlete: Yasser Triki (ALG)
- Venue: Meeting Indoor de Lyon – Lyon (France) | Jan 24
The Significance: Yasser Triki continues to be the benchmark for African hopping, stepping, and jumping. His season opener of 16.54m was enough to clinch victory in Lyon and slot him into 3rd on the world list. Triki is a technical master indoors, and this solid baseline performance indicates he is building steadily toward the 17-meter jumps required for global gold.
- Notable Mention: Amath Faye (SEN) also impressed in the same competition, jumping 16.24m (World #13) to confirm the depth of West African talent in the horizontal jumps.
Sprints & Hurdles: Speed in Focus
Men’s 400m: Sikiou Smashes Barriers
- Performance: 45.82 | Rank: World #7 | Record: Algerian National Record
- Athlete: Mouatez Abderrazek Sikiou (ALG)
- Venue: Orange & Purple Invitational – Clemson, SC (USA) | Jan 23
The Significance: Sub-46 seconds indoors is the hallmark of elite quarter-milers. Sikiou’s blistering 45.82 is not just a personal best; it stands as a new Algerian National Indoor Record. While North African success is typically associated with the 800m/1500m, Sikiou’s emergence adds a dangerous sprint threat to the region’s arsenal. He is now positioned firmly among the NCAA and world elite.
Women’s 400m: Maisvorewa’s Altitude Statement
- Performance: 51.80A (Altitude Adjusted) | Rank: World #5
- Athlete: Vimbayi Maisvorewa (ZIM)
- Venue: New Mexico Team Open – Albuquerque, NM (USA) | Jan 24
The Significance: Zimbabwe’s Vimbayi Maisvorewa took advantage of the thin air in Albuquerque to drop a world-class 51.80 (adjusted). This performance rockets her to #5 on the global leaderboard. Early season altitude marks can sometimes be misleading, but the sheer quality of this time suggests Maisvorewa has the raw speed to challenge for a semi-final or final spot at Worlds. It is a massive boost for Zimbabwean sprinting on the international stage.
Women’s 60m Hurdles: Britton Breaks 8
- Performance: 7.99 | Rank: World #7 (tied) | Record: National Record
- Athlete: Evonne Britton (GHA)
- Venue: ISTAF Indoor – Düsseldorf (Germany) | Jan 24
The Significance: The 8-second barrier is the gold standard for female hurdlers, and Evonne Britton shattered it with a 7.99 clocking. This performance set a new National Record for Ghana and ties her for 7th in the world. For Ghana, a nation with a rich sprint history, having a world-class hurdler adds critical depth to their team.
Men’s 60m Hurdles
- Performance: 7.60 | Rank: World #15
- Athlete: Jeremie Lararaudeuse (MRI)
- Venue: Nantes (France) | Jan 23
The Significance: Mauritius’s Lararaudeuse continues to improve, posting a solid 7.60. This consistency in Europe keeps him on the radar for major championship qualification.
Men’s 60m
• Performance: 6.55 | Rank: World Top 15 (approx.)
• Athlete: Emmanuel Eseme (CMR)
• Venue: AccorHotels Arena de Bercy – Paris (France) | Jan 25
• The Significance:
Cameroon’s premier sprinter, Emmanuel Eseme, delivered a clutch performance in the French capital. Clocking 6.55 seconds to take 2nd place in a high-profile meet at the AccorHotels Arena proves he is in peak condition. As the reigning African 100m champion outdoors, translating that speed to the 60m indoors with such a fast opener makes him a dangerous contender for the final in Toruń. This performance expands the African sprint threat beyond West and Southern Africa into Central Africa.
Middle Distance: The North African Engine
Men’s 800m: Algeria & Morocco Duel
- Mohamed Ali Gouaned (ALG): 1:45.85 (World #7) – Winner, Lyon
- Abdellatif El Guesse (MAR): 1:46.62 (World #8) – Runner-up, Lyon
- Venue: Meeting Indoor de Lyon (France) | Jan 24
The Significance: The 800m in Lyon was a showcase of North African tactical superiority. Gouaned (21 years old) displayed immense maturity to hold off the experienced El Guesse. With both men dipping under 1:47 and entering the global top 8, they have reaffirmed that the road to the 800m podium goes through the Maghreb.
What’s Next? keep an eye on these athletes to see if they can maintain their top-10 rankings. The emergence of field event power from Nigeria and South Africa, combined with North African middle-distance dominance, promises an exciting season ahead.
