I have no role model, I’m my own inspiration — Chidera Ezeakor

…As he secures 100m podium finish

…Emmanuel Eseme defends 100m crown as Cameroon goes into mourning

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Accra, Ghana

  

   

  

Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme delivered a superb display of speed and control to successfully defend his men’s 100m title at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana.

Eseme powered to victory in 10.25 seconds, further strengthening his status as one of the continent’s leading sprinters. The triumph added another proud chapter to his career, coming at the same venue where he previously captured the African Games 100m title.

South Africa’s Bradley Nkoana settled for silver, while Nigeria’s Chidera Nzeakor completed the podium with bronze after clocking 10.33 seconds.

For Ezeakor, the medal represented a remarkable journey from football to athletics, and from obscurity to continental recognition emphasizing that his progress has been driven by self-belief and faith.

“I don't have any role models, I'm a role model to myself, I believe in myself. My journey all started in 2020. I was first in football, so after practice there was this Reverend father who always used to watch me play. He picked me up and asked if I wanted to go into athletics and I said okay. So he took me to the stadium, and that's where I am today,” he said.

The men’s 100m final unfolded on a sombre night, with the championships taking place against the backdrop of grief following the death of Confederation of African Athletics president Hamed Kalkaba Malboum.

Nigeria also came agonisingly close to gold in the women’s 100m, where Rosemary Chukwuma appeared to have won after powering to the line first and beginning her celebration.

However, officials overturned the result after a review of the photo-finish, handing victory to Cameroon’s Harverge Kole Etame, who was declared winner by the narrowest of margins. Both athletes were timed at 11.48 seconds, leaving Chukwuma with silver in heartbreaking fashion.

Nigeria added another silver through Oyesade Olatoye in the women’s hammer throw, as she produced a strong performance to finish second and boost the country’s medal haul in Accra.

The night, however, ended on a high for Team Nigeria after the mixed 4x400m relay quartet of Ezekiel Asuquo, Salamatu Jimoh, Victor Imeh and Patience Okon-George stormed to gold in commanding fashion.

Asuquo kept Nigeria within striking distance on the opening leg before Jimoh produced a brilliant surge to move the team from third place into the lead. Imeh maintained the advantage, and Okon-George sealed the win with a composed anchor leg that sparked celebrations among the Nigerian camp.

Nigeria’s strong showing in Accra follows an encouraging start to the championships, where Divine Oladipo and Obiageri Amaechi won silver and bronze respectively in the women’s discus.

With medals across multiple events, Team Nigeria continues to underline its strength as one of the standout nations at the continental championships in Ghana.