Rosemary Chukwuma Denied 100m Gold in Dramatic Photo-Finish at African Championships

Posted : 15 May 2026

Nigeria’s quest for a gold medal in the women’s 100m at the African Senior Athletics Championships ended in heartbreak. Pre-race favorite Rosemary Chukwuma was edged out by Cameroon’s Kole Etame in a finish that required photographic evidence to settle. Chukwuma entered the competition as the African leader with a season-best time of 10.95 seconds. Many fans expected her to end Nigeria’s twelve-year drought in the event comfortably.

The outcome sparked immediate controversy among the Nigerian delegation in Accra. Supporters suggested that the results might have been manipulated to favor the Cameroonian sprinter. However, meet officials quickly released the photo-finish images to clarify the official standings. The evidence showed that Etame’s torso crossed the finish line mere millimeters ahead of the Nigerian star. This confirmation effectively silenced the arguments regarding the legality of the race result.

This defeat means Nigeria must wait at least another two years to reclaim the women's 100m crown. The last Nigerian woman to win this specific title was Blessing Okagbare during the 2014 championships in Morocco. The men’s 100m team also faced a similar fate, extending their own winless streak on the continent. Nigerian sprinters have struggled to dominate the podium in recent editions of the African Senior Athletics Championships. Analysts believe the rising quality of sprinters from East and Central Africa has closed the gap.

The championship was further clouded by the sudden passing of the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) President, Kalkaba Malboum. The 75-year-old retired colonel reportedly died in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on Wednesday. News of his death reached the stadium in Accra, leading to a somber atmosphere among athletes and staff. A minute of silence was observed before the commencement of the evening sessions to honor his legacy. Malboum had served as a prominent leader in African sports since succeeding Lamine Diack.

Despite the mourning period, the AAC Council confirmed that the competition schedule will proceed as planned. Officials stated that no events would be canceled out of respect for the late president's commitment to the sport. Nigeria will now look toward the relay events and field competitions to improve their overall medal standing. The team remains determined to secure several podium finishes before the closing ceremony in Ghana. Athletes are shifting their focus to the upcoming Commonwealth Games qualifiers later this summer.

Rosemary Chukwuma Denied 100m Gold in Dramatic Photo-Finish at African Championships

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