Nigerian hurdler Nnamdi Adeboye Onwaeze has secured a place in the final of the men’s 110m hurdles at the African Athletics Championships after delivering a composed performance in his semifinal heat.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Social Media Influencer KSI Targets ‘Early’ EPL Slot With His Regional League Club
Competing at his first-ever African Championships, the Nigerian athlete rose to the occasion by finishing second in his heat with a time of 14.09 seconds, a result that earned him an automatic qualification spot for Saturday’s final.
Onwaeze faced a strong challenge in the race, finishing behind Senegal’s Louis Mendy, the defending African champion, who crossed the line first in an impressive 13.65 seconds to underline his status as one of the favourites for the title.
Despite competing against the reigning champion, Onwaeze maintained his composure throughout the race and showed determination over the barriers to secure progression to the medal-deciding final.
His qualification represents a major achievement for the Nigerian hurdler, especially in his debut appearance at the continental championships.
The men’s 110m hurdles event has remained one of the most competitive track disciplines at the championships, with several top athletes from across Africa battling for places in the final.
Onwaeze’s progression therefore highlights both his growing confidence and his ability to compete at elite continental level.
For Team Nigeria, his qualification adds another boost to the nation’s athletics campaign, with hopes now turning toward a possible podium finish in the final.
The experience gained from successfully navigating the heats and semifinals could prove valuable as the competition intensifies.
The Nigerian hurdler will now prepare for Saturday’s showdown, where he will line up against some of Africa’s best in pursuit of a medal. While Louis Mendy remains one of the favourites,
Onwaeze’s steady improvement and fighting spirit suggest he could still challenge strongly in the final race.
Reaching the final in his maiden African Championships appearance already marks an encouraging step in his development, and Nigerian athletics followers will be eager to see whether he can produce an even stronger performance when the medals are decided.
