Athletics

Meet Jared Ejiasan, Nigeria’s New World Record Holder

Published

4 months ago

February 23, 2026

On a cold February evening in France, history leaned forward—and a 16-year-old Nigerian answered the call.

The blocks were set inside the Stade Couvert Jesse Owens. The crowd murmured. The clock waited. When the gun cracked on February 21, 2026,

Jared Ejiasan surged from stillness into legend, slicing over ten barriers with a rhythm so clean it felt inevitable.

7.43 seconds. A blink. A gasp. A new U18 world record in the men’s 60m hurdles.

With that run, Ejiasan erased a mark that had stood since 2019—7.48 seconds by France’s Sasha Zhoya—and stepped past every teenage hurdler before him.

For Nigeria, it was a moment of pride. For winter sports, a reminder that greatness can arrive without warning—and leave the world changed.

Born in Nigeria in 2009 and raised in France from infancy, Ejiasan has always lived between places, carrying two stories in one stride.

He competes for the French club AC Nord Val d’Oise, but when it comes to international colours, his heart beats green and white.

The record did not come from nowhere in January 2026 had already hinted at what was coming, when he blazed 7.57 seconds—an African U18 record.

February simply confirmed the truth: this was no surge of form, but the unveiling of a star.

A Hurdler—And More

What makes Ejiasan’s rise even more compelling is his range. Beyond the hurdles, he floats through the air as a long jumper, owning a 7.46m personal best set in 2025.

Power and poetry, speed and spring—his athletic vocabulary keeps expanding.

Now, the official rankings agree. His name sits atop the World Athletics lists as the world leader in the U18 60m hurdles.

At 16, he has already turned potential into permanence.

The Road Ahead

Winter Sports 2026 will be remembered as the season a Nigerian teenager outran time itself.

Outdoors await. Bigger championships beckon.

And somewhere beyond the next start line, new records are already nervous.

For now, one truth stands tall:

Jared Ejiasan didn’t just run a race—he announced a future.

/* <![CDATA[ */
(function (document, window) {
var a, c = document.createElement("script"), f = window.frameElement;

c.id = "CleverCoreLoader95885";
c.src = "https://scripts.cleverwebserver.com/2777295adab0c8a007d7f8a0312ad6f2.js";

c.async = !0;
c.type = "text/javascript";
c.setAttribute("data-target", window.name || (f && f.getAttribute("id")));
c.setAttribute("data-callback", "put-your-callback-function-here");
c.setAttribute("data-callback-url-click", "put-your-click-macro-here");
c.setAttribute("data-callback-url-view", "put-your-view-macro-here");

try {
a = parent.document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0] || document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];
} catch (e) {
a = !1;
}

a || (a = document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0] || document.getElementsByTagName("body")[0]);
a.parentNode.insertBefore(c, a);
})(document, window);
/* ]]> */

The post Meet Jared Ejiasan, Nigeria’s New World Record Holder appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Athletics

AFN President Tonobok Okowa Lauds Introduction Of Ben Aghazu Cash Prizes Ahead Of National Athletics Trials

Published

3 days ago

June 10, 2026

Kenny Malone

The president of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa has lauded the introduction of Ben Aghazu Prize for Excellence ahead of the forthcoming national trisls in Lagos.

Sports247 reports that Okowa also showered encomiums on AFN’s second vice-president, Akuchukwu Chineze Aghazu for floating the elaborate cash prizes in honour of her late father, Ben Aghazu.

It was further gathered that, under the scheme, outstanding athletes will get N100,000 each for achieving performance standards in 14 events during the natuonal trials holding from June 20th to 22th at Yaba College ofTechnology, Lagos.

Aghazu also announced that two exceptional coaches, one male and a female, have already been selected to receive the athletics excellence award for tacticians in various track and field events.

In reaction to the development, Okowa expressed delight with the initiative, which he described as a commendable gesture that will inspire athletes to put in extra efforts towards getting better results during the trials.

Okowa declared, “I am excited by this thoughtful initiative from our second vice-president, Aku Aghazu. This is the kind of support that motivates our home-based athletes to give their very best during these all-important Commonwealth Games Trials.”

Okowa, who is also the senior vice-president of Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), used the opportunity to call on corporate organisations and philanthropists to support athletics and invest in the country’s sporting talents.

“We appeal to individuals, corporate bodies and stakeholders in the private sector to throw their weight behind athletics and our athletes. There is enormous talent in Nigeria and with the right support, our athletes can continue to make the nation proud on the global stage,” Okowa solicited.

AFN’s media committee chairman, Maxwell Kumoye added in a press statement, “The Ben Aghazu Prize for Excellence in Athletics covers the men’s and women’s 100m, 200m, 400m, 1500m and 5000m, as well as the long jump and javelin events.

“To earn the N100,000 reward in the men’s 100m, an athlete must clock 10.10 seconds, while the women’s benchmark is 11.20 seconds.

“In the 200m, male athletes must run 20.60 seconds, while female athletes are required to achieve 22.70 seconds. The qualifying standards for the 400m are 45.30 seconds for men and 51.00 seconds for women.

“For the 1500m, athletes must run 3:50.00 for men and 4:20.00 for women to claim the prize, while the 5000m standards have been fixed at 14:00.00 for men and 17:50.00 for women.

“Field event athletes have also been included in the incentive package. Male long jumpers must soar to 7.90 metres, while female athletes are expected to reach 6.50 metres. In the javelin throw, the targets are 81 metres for men and 55 metres for women.

“Should athletes meet the required marks across all 14 events, a total of N1.6 million could be disbursed during the three-day competition, (ahead of which) the scheme sends a powerful message that outstanding performances will be recognised and celebrated.”

Sports247 gathered further that, with the Commonwealth Games trials fast approaching, athletes now have an added incentive to produce world-class performances with Aghazu’s gesture, which honours the legacy of her late father.

The post AFN President Tonobok Okowa Lauds Introduction Of Ben Aghazu Cash Prizes Ahead Of National Athletics Trials first appeared on Sports247 Nigeria.

The post AFN President Tonobok Okowa Lauds Introduction Of Ben Aghazu Cash Prizes Ahead Of National Athletics Trials appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Athletics

Bukola Olopade Prioritises Athlete Welfare While Targeting 20 Medals At Commonwealth Games

Published

4 days ago

June 9, 2026

Kenny Malone

Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, has stressed that athlete welfare and proper preparation will remain central to Team Nigeria’s ambitions ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Speaking during a strategic meeting with sports federation executives and technical officials in Abuja, Olopade revealed that the Commission is determined to provide athletes with the right environment and support needed to compete successfully.

“Athlete welfare remains a top priority for us,” Olopade said.

According to the NSC boss, the Commission’s preparation plans will focus heavily on discipline, improved support systems, and performance standards across all sports federations.

“We want our athletes to compete under the best possible conditions,” he implied.

Olopade also challenged Team Nigeria to aim for at least 20 medals at the Games, insisting the target remains ambitious but achievable.

“We are targeting a minimum of 20 medals,” he noted.

The sports administrator explained that current projections suggest Nigeria could secure around 16 medals, but the Commission wants athletes to push beyond expectations.

“The idea is to motivate the athletes to achieve more,” he added.

Olopade stressed that athlete welfare, discipline, and strong preparation would remain major benchmarks in the Commission’s roadmap ahead of the Games.

“Every federation must raise its standards,” he stressed.

The NSC remains optimistic that the groundwork currently being laid will help Nigeria produce one of its strongest Commonwealth Games performances in recent years.

“Good preparation and proper welfare can improve performances significantly,” many sports observers believe.

Team Nigeria is expected to compete across several sporting events as preparations continue intensifying ahead of Glasgow 2026.

For Bukola Olopade, the message is clear.

Athlete welfare is important.

Nigeria must aim for at least 20 medals.

And strong preparation remains essential for international success.

Because athletes perform best when they are motivated, supported, and properly prepared to compete at the highest level.

The post Bukola Olopade Prioritises Athlete Welfare While Targeting 20 Medals At Commonwealth Games first appeared on Sports247 Nigeria.

The post Bukola Olopade Prioritises Athlete Welfare While Targeting 20 Medals At Commonwealth Games appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Athletics

Olympic Day Tooke Run 2026: Hefty Ug.Shs 120,000,000 prize money kitty unveiled

Published

1 week ago

June 3, 2026

Bryce Mullins

Event: Olympic Day Tooke Run 2026
Categories: Half Marathon (21KM), 10KM (Fun Run), 5KM (Walk for Fitness Inclusivity)
Prize money: Ug.Shs 120,000,000
Date: Saturday, 20th June 2026
Start & finish: Bushenyi sports ground
Theme: Move, Learn & Discover for Nutrition-Care
Chief Runner: His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

The Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC), in partnership with Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development (PIBIC) and Banana Industrial Research and Development Centre (BIRDC), officially unveiled a UGX 120,000,000 (One hundred and twenty million) prize cash for the 2026 Olympic Day Tooke Run set for 20th June in Bushenyi District.

Officials showing off the different prize money categories for the 2026 Olympic Day Tooke Run

The event to unveil this hefty prize money took place at the BIRDC head offices in Kampala on Tuesday, 2nd June 2026.

Rev. Professor Florence Muranga Isabirye, the Nutrition Ambassador at Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) graced the event flanked by UOC’s administrator Elijah Njawuzi and the route director Timothy Masaba.

Rev. Professor Florence Muranga Isabirye addressing the media in Kampala

“The prize monies across the different categories are meant to appreciate the effort of the runners and motivate them as we grow the sport of running in Uganda” Rev. Prof Muranga stated.

The prize money will be awarded across the 21KM Half Marathon, 10KM Road Race, and 5KM Fun Run/Walk categories, including a dedicated Under-16 Youth Race aimed at nurturing and rewarding emerging talent.

A lion’s share of this money will go to the 21KM runners who will pocket Ug.Shs 72,000,000 in total for the total five across both gender.

Ug.Shs 24,000,000 will be rewarded to the 10KM runners and the rest will be shared among the 5KM recreational runners.

Besides the money for the top runners, there will be a ceremonial medal for everyone who participates as well as a gift hamper.

Held under the theme “Move, Learn and Discover for Nutrition Care,” the Run seeks to raise support for Uganda’s team to the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, promote healthy lifestyles, and champion nutrition awareness through the power of sport.

Registration is ongoing at register.olympictookerun.com. Secure your kit today for only UGX 35,000 and be part of a movement that is transforming lives through sport and nutrition.

His Excellency president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is expected to be the chief guest.