By Victor Kanayo
A Nigerian, Udeme Okon, has won a gold medal for South Africa after defeating opponents in the men’s 400m final at the ongoing U-20 world championships in Lima, Peru on Friday.
The 18-year-old crossed the line in 45.69sec ahead of Jayden Davis (46.08) and Sidi Njie (46.29) to retain the title for South Africa after Lythe Pillay’s triumph in Colombia two years ago.
Born on September 3, 2005, Okon who is a grade 11 pupil from Florida Park High School in Johannesburg, has a Nigerian father and South African mother.
His exploit ensured that South Africa now has two gold medals after his teammate Bayanda Walaza clinched gold in men’s 100m with a time of 10.19 seconds.
As it stand, South Africa is occupying second spot on the medals table behind Ethiopia with two gold, one silver and a bronze.
Walaza, the 100m winner in Peru, will attempt to give the country a monopoly on the men’s sprint golds when he bids to win the 100-200 double on Saturday morning.
Walaza, also 18, was the quickest in the semifinals on Friday morning, winning his heat in 21.00sec, ahead of American Jaden Wiley in 21.04.
