Team Nigeria concluded their outing at the World Athletics Relays on Sunday, May 3, with a mixed bag of results—securing two additional qualification slots for the World Athletics Championships and earning a spot at the newly introduced World Athletics Ultimate Championship.
The team had made an early statement on the opening day, clinching a ticket in the mixed 4x100m relay after setting a new African record.
However, momentum dipped across several other events, leaving Nigeria to rely on the repechage rounds for redemption—and they delivered in style.
In the mixed 4x400m relay, the quartet of Samson Nathaniel, Mary Kudoro, Chidi Okezie, and Patience Okon-George rose to the occasion.
They clocked a season’s best of 3:12.88 to finish second in a tightly contested race, just behind South Africa, who edged the win in 3:12.77.
The race featured multiple lead changes before Okon-George anchored Nigeria home, fending off a late push from Germany to secure qualification.
The women’s 4x100m team also bounced back impressively after earlier setbacks.
Following baton exchange issues on Saturday, Rosemary Nwankwo, Obi Chukwuka, Maria Thompson-Omokwe, and Miracle Ezechukwu delivered a strong response.
Their season’s best time of 42.94 seconds earned them second place behind France and sealed another ticket to Beijing.
Not all events ended in success. The men’s 4x100m team—featuring Favour Ashe, James Emmanuel, Tejiri Godwin, and Chidera Ezeakor—posted a time of 38.50 seconds but could only finish third behind Belgium and Jamaica.
The men’s 4x400m relay team also narrowly missed out.
Despite a solid performance and a time of 3:01.43, Gafar Badmus, Emmanuel Ojeli, Victor Ime, and Ezekiel Asuquo finished just behind Spain and Senegal, missing qualification by a narrow margin.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s women’s 4x400m team did not take to the track for their repechage race, bringing the country’s total to three relay qualifications for the World Championships.
On a brighter note, the mixed 4x100m team not only secured their place in Beijing but also qualified for the Ultimate Championship after finishing among the top six in the final.
That race was won by Jamaica in a stunning world record time of 39.62 seconds.
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Overall, Team Nigeria leaves Gaborone with valuable lessons, a handful of qualifications, and renewed momentum heading into the global stage.