Favour Onyah Leads Nigerian 1-2 in U20 Women’s 400m Heat at African Championships
Team Nigeria made an early statement at the ongoing African U18 & U20 Athletics Championships, as Favour Onyah 🇳🇬 led a dominant 1-2 finish in Heat 1 of the U20 Women’s 400m, clocking 54.04s to secure victory.
Her compatriot, Anita Enaruna, crossed the line second in 54.54s, comfortably advancing to the next round and reinforcing Nigeria’s strength in the sprint events. Zimbabwe’s Runanga Tinashe 🇿🇼 came third in 55.11s.
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🔹 Heat 1 – U20 Women’s 400m Results:
🥇 Favour Onyah 🇳🇬 – 54.04s
🥈 Anita Enaruna 🇳🇬 – 54.54s
🥉 Runanga Tinashe 🇿🇼 – 55.11s
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👟 Spotlight on Favour Onyah
Favour Onyah, 19, is one of Nigeria’s brightest emerging quarter-milers. Currently competing for Southeastern Louisiana University (USA), she recently ran a blazing 51.93s at the NCAA East Prelims—an elite personal best that places her among the top junior 400m runners globally.
She was also named the 2024 Southland Conference Freshman of the Year, underlining her rapid rise and consistency.
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🔍 Meet Anita Enaruna
A talented sprinter from Edo State, Anita Enaruna has steadily progressed through Nigeria’s youth athletics circuit. Known for her composure and stride control, she recently anchored Edo State’s mixed 4×400m relay to a silver medal, and her 54.54s here shows promise heading into the semifinals.
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🔭 What’s Next?
Both athletes will move on to the semifinal stage, with strong medal prospects if they maintain form. With Onyah’s international racing experience and Enaruna’s improving times, Nigeria is well-placed for podium finishes in the final.
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🇳🇬 Nigeria’s Track Record at the Championships
Nigeria has consistently produced world-class quarter-milers at youth level, and this performance reflects continued investment in sprint talent. The 1–2 finish is a morale boost for the squad and a warning shot to regional rivals.
