Dakar 2026: Ugoh wins Nigeria’s first 400m gold at Youth Olympic Games
by Moronfolu Adeyemi · The Eagle OnlineNigeria’s impressive medal run at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games continued as Praise Ugoh made history by winning the women’s 400m gold medal, becoming the first Nigerian to claim the title at the competition.
Ugoh delivered a personal best of 52.76 seconds in the final to secure victory in a closely contested race, finishing ahead of Venezuela’s Osmary Pacheco, who clocked 52.85 seconds to take silver.
Aisha Muhammed of the United Arab Emirates finished third in 53.06 seconds to claim the bronze medal.
The victory represents another major milestone for Nigerian athletics, with Ugoh producing her best performance at a crucial moment to secure her place in the history of the Youth Olympic Games.
Her triumph adds to Nigeria’s remarkable achievements in the sprint events, following the historic 100m double secured by Rosemary Chigozie Nwankwo and Gift Bright on Sunday.
Nwankwo claimed the women’s 100m gold in 11.16 seconds, while Bright emerged victorious in the men’s event to become the first Nigerian to win the Youth Olympic Games 100m title.
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Their victories also made Nigeria the first country to win both the men’s and women’s 100m gold medals at the same edition of the Youth Olympic Games.
With Ugoh’s breakthrough in the 400m added to the historic sprint double, Nigeria’s young athletes have continued to make a strong impression in Dakar, showcasing the country’s growing athletics talent and ability to compete for honours on the global stage.
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