After Friday’s controversial disqualification of Miracles Ezechukwu, Team Nigeria produced another impressive performance at the ongoing 2026 World U-20 Athletics Championships in Oregon, securing qualification for the final of the women’s 4×400 metres relay.
The Nigerian quartet of Becky Ebiayadi, Jecinta Lawrence, Tejiri Praise Ugoh and Faith Ezechukwu clocked 3:35.28 to finish third in their heat and book their place in the medal-deciding final.
Nigeria’s performance was also a season’s best (SB), underlining the quartet’s strong showing on the championship stage.
Italy won the heat in a new World U-20 Record of 3:33.63, while Great Britain finished second in 3:33.82, with both nations also progressing automatically to the final.
The Nigerian team finished ahead of South Africa and the other teams in the heat to claim the third and final automatic qualification spot.
Under the championship qualification format, the first three teams in each heat advance to the final.
Nigeria’s qualification adds another exciting chapter to Team Nigeria’s campaign in Oregon, with the country continuing its pursuit of medals and strong performances at the global junior championships.
The women’s 4x400m final will provide Ebiayadi, Lawrence, Ugoh and Ezechukwu with another opportunity to challenge the world’s best junior relay teams and fight for a place on the podium.
With their season’s-best time already established in the heats, the Nigerian quartet will be hoping to raise their performance even further when the medals are decided.