Competing in the third semi-final of the women’s 400m at the 2024 World U20 Championships in Peru, Ella Onojuvwevwo finished second with a time of 51.99s, just behind Lurdes Gloria Manuel of the Czech Republic, who won the race in 51.91s.
Onojuvwevwo had a strong start and came into the homestretch in the lead but was narrowly overtaken by Manuel, who closed hard to secure a good lane draw in the final.
With her spot in the final secured, Onojuvwevwo becomes the third Nigerian to qualify for a final at the ongoing World U20 Championships. As one of the favorites to win, she will be aiming for the GOLD medal, with her biggest competition coming from Lurdes Gloria Manuel, the World U20 leader heading into the competition.
In the men’s equivalent, Gafar Badmus left it late in heat 2 of the semis, chasing down the field but having to settle for 5th place with a time of 47.43s.
Japan’s Kentaro Shirahata led from start to finish, winning the race in a new Personal Best of 46.30s, his second 400m PB of the day. Hungary’s Árpád Kovacs took the second automatic spot, crossing the line in 46.70s.
