The first two days of athletics at the African Games in Accra, Ghana, have seen remarkable performances, setting new benchmarks and crowning global champions. Tsige Duguma and Medina Eisa, emerging as stars on the international stage, alongside exceptional achievements across various events, have illuminated the competition held on Monday and Tuesday (18-19).
Fresh from her triumph at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Tsige Duguma of Ethiopia asserted her dominance in the women’s 800m event, exhibiting impeccable control from start to finish. With a flawless display of skill and strategy, she clocked an impressive 1:57.73, surpassing her personal best and leaving behind formidable opponents including Halimah Nakaayi of Uganda and Vivian Kiprotich of Kenya.
In another display of Ethiopian prowess, Medina Eisa led her compatriots in a clean sweep of medals in the women’s 5000m, outshining the world record-holder Beatrice Chepkoech. The trio of Eisa, Birtukan Molla, and Melknat Wudu secured a remarkable 1-2-3 finish, further affirming Ethiopia’s dominance in long-distance running.
The excitement continued with Samuel Firewu of Ethiopia clinching victory in the men’s 3000m steeplechase, outmaneuvering his Kenyan rivals with a brilliant display of tactics and speed. Ethiopia’s success extended to the men’s 10,000m, where Nimret Melak and Gemechu Dida secured gold and silver, denying the local favorite William Amponsah a storybook ending despite his valiant efforts.
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The addition of the mixed 4x400m relay brought a fresh dynamic to the competition, with Nigeria’s team storming to victory, led by Emmanuel Ojeli and anchored by Omolara Ogunmakinju. Individual sprint events witnessed Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme and Gambia’s Gina Bass-Bittaye claiming gold in the men’s and women’s 100m respectively, showcasing exceptional speed and skill.
Records were rewritten in the field events as well, with South Africa’s Mire Reinstorf setting a new Games record in the women’s pole vault, and Algeria’s Zahra Tatar delivering a remarkable performance in the women’s hammer throw. Other notable achievements include Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi’s successful defense of his title in the men’s shot put, and South Africa’s Fredriech Pretorius’s gold in the decathlon, highlighting the depth of talent across various disciplines.
As the competition intensifies, athletes from across the continent continue to inspire with their extraordinary performances, setting the stage for an unforgettable edition of the African Games.
