‘Nigerian’ Sprinter Wins Second Gold for South Africa at World u20 Championships

• Udeme Okon has won South Africa's second gold medal at the ongoing World U20 Athletics Championships in Peru
• The South African sprinter defeated two United States of America athletes to win the men's 400m final on Friday
• The 18-year-old runner confirmed his Nigerian origin in an interview at one of the 400m events in Lima

Udeme Okon, who is of Nigerian origin, has made South Africans proud as he won the country's second gold medal at the World U20 Athletics Championships in Lima, Peru.

The 18-year-old sprinter took a leaf from Bayanda Walaza's book as he clinched a gold medal in the men's 400m race at the Championships.

Okon is the second South African athlete to win gold in the 400m after Lythe Pillay did the same at the 2022 edition of the World U20 Championship held in Columbia.

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Okon wins gold in 400m at World championships

According to World Athletics, Okon clinched the gold with a time of 45.69 seconds, demonstrating a solid finish, particularly in the last 50-100 metres of the race, where he powered away from his competitors.

The South African outran two American sprinters, Jayden Davis, who took silver with a time of 46.08 seconds, and Sidi Njie, who secured bronze with 46.29 seconds.

Udeme Okon's parents and his Nigerian origin

According to Making of the Champions on X, Okon was born to a Nigerian father in South Africa and a South African mother. He was born in 2005 and will be 19 on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.

In an interview with the Athletic Heat, the young sprinter confirmed the nationality of his father and mother and also shared his thoughts on racism.

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"So I was actually born in South Africa. My father is Nigerian, and my mother is South African, so yeah, I grew up in South Africa."

According to Sportskeeda, Okon spent all his life in South Africa. He attended Florida Park High School in Roodepoort, where he received his primary education.

Team Nigeria flaunts colourful attire

Legit.ng in another publication, reported that Team Nigeria showed off their beautiful green and white colours during the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

The West African country is represented by a strong contingent of athletes hoping to improve on the country’s glorious past outing at the Games.

International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons described the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, which will last 11 days, as a “traditional ceremony in a non-traditional venue.”

Source: Briefly.co.za