TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari has lauded Nigeria’s athletes for their “outstanding” achievement at the just concluded World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya.

According to NAN, Buhari’s congratulatory message came in a statement by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesperson, on Monday in Abuja.

The statement commended the athletes and their coaches for “showcasing to the world that Nigeria is blessed with some of the best talents in the world of sport who by dint of hard work and perseverance can dazzle anytime and anywhere.’’

The president also thanked the “victorious athletes for flying the country’s flag high at the competition, breaking new records from personal bests and national records all the way to championship records.”

The statement said Buhari joined “all Nigerians in celebrating the team for reinforcing the can-do and resilient spirit of Nigerians at the Championships.”

TheCable had reported how Nigeria finished third on the overall medals table at the championships.

The athletes amassed 7 medals — four gold and three bronze — to rank third behind Kenya, the host, and Finland at the end of the competition on Sunday.

18-year-old Imaobong Nse-Uko was the most decorated performer for the country, winning three gold medals in the women’s 400 meters, 4x400m relay, and mixed 4x400m race.

Favour Ofili won two bronze medals in the women’s 200 meters and 4×100 meters. In the same vein, Udodi Onwuzurike stormed to gold in the men’s 200m to become the first Nigerian to achieve the feat since Francis Obikwelu won the event in Sydney in 1996.

Chinecherem Nnamdi also became Nigeria’s first medallist in the field event at a junior championship since 2002 after he struck bronze in the javelin event.