African Championships: Amusan, Ashe, chase gold on Day 2

n n

Nigerian athletes made a bright start to their respective campaigns at the 2026 CAA African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana, qualifying for the next round of their track and field events, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

n

World record holder Tobi Amusan eased into the final of the women’s 100m hurdles after opening her season with a time of 12.82s in the heats.

n

It was her first hurdles race of the season.

n

Amusan was joined in the final by Janet Sunday, who made her debut at the African Championships and finished second in her heat, which was won by Ghanaian record holder Evonne Britton.

n

There was drama in the men’s 100m as Favour Ashe was initially disqualified before eventually progressing to the semi-finals.

n

Ashe was first disqualified for a false start but was reinstated after Nigeria lodged an appeal.

n

He then clocked 10.55s, placing 24th overall to qualify for Wednesday’s men’s 100m semi-finals.

n

Reigning National Sports Festival champion Chidera Ezeakor also advanced to the semi-finals after beating Ghana’s fastest man, Abdul-Rasheed Saminu, to win his heat in 10.38s.

n

In the women’s 100m, Rosemary Chukwuma led Nigeria’s charge, comfortably booking her place in the semi-finals with a time of 11.44s in Heat 2.

n

Miracle Ezechukwu also qualified after winning her heat, while Tejiri Ugoh finished third in her heat to secure qualification.

n

Samson Nathaniel, Sikiru Adeyemi and Esther Okon all advanced to the next round of the men’s and women’s 400m events.

n

Nathaniel timed his race well in the men’s 400m, edging ahead at the finish line to beat Uganda’s Omuka Kenneth and Kenya’s Musika Malongo.

n

Adeyemi finished third in his 400m heat to also qualify for the next round.

n n