By Ben Efe 5.5.2026
Up and coming Nigerian youth sprinter Rosemary Nwankwo has revealed her excitement at qualifying for the 2027 World Athletics Championship relays with the Nigerian 4x100m quartet.
Nwankwo who is making her debut at the world stage became a subject of discussion when during the heats of the Gaborone 2026 World Relays, fumbled at the baton exchange, thereby putting her team in jeopardy, but during the repechage, she became the star girl after showing composure and flawless handover running the first leg.
She and the other girls Jennifer Chukwuka, Maria Thompson Omokwe and Miracle Ezechukwu finished 42.94 seconds to book their spot in the 2027 World Championships.
“During the race I was not looking at anyone, in my head it was about what I could give to help my team succeed, I wasn’t concerned whether this one is faster than this one, I just ran with all I had, I gave my very best,” said the 16-year-old Nwankwo who a SS2 secondary school student in Abuja.
“I feel so good because this is my first biggest tournament since I started athletics and I’m so grateful to God.”
Speaking her first race in Botswana she added: “What happened during the heats was nobody’s fault but thank God we had another opportunity to run again, and we qualified so I’m so excited.
“We just told ourselves that we can do this, let’s forget about that and focus on the one ahead of us. My experience has been great.”
Nwankwo said her focus is now on the African Championships starting May 12 in Accra Ghana.