Praise Ugoh Tejiri turns Oregon heartbreak into Youth Olympics gold

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By Maxwell Kumoye 
 

Praise Ugoh Tejiri has bounced back from her disappointing outing at the World Athletics U-20 Championships in Oregon with a stunning gold medal performance in the women's 400m at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

The Nigerian teenager produced a personal best of 52.76 seconds to win the one-lap event, becoming the first Nigerian female athlete to claim the women's 400m title in Youth Olympic Games history.

Ugoh Tejiri finished ahead of Osmary Pacheco, who took silver in 52.85 seconds, while Aisha Muhammed secured bronze in 53.06 seconds.

Her triumph in Dakar represents a remarkable turnaround for the young Nigerian, who endured a painful moment at the World Athletics U-20 Championships in Oregon in September after Team Nigeria women's 4x100m relay was disqualified for false start in the final.

Rather than allowing that setback to define her season, the teenager has responded emphatically on the international stage, delivering a historic victory in an event outside her primary specialities.

Primarily a 100m and 200m sprinter, Ugoh Tejiri's ability to conquer the 400m against a competitive field underlines her versatility and growing potential.

Her golden performance adds to Nigeria's impressive athletics campaign in Dakar and further increased the country's medal haul at the Youth Olympic Games.

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