By Yetunde Fatungase

South Africa’s Oluchi Ndubueze says she is thrilled to have secured a gold medal in the ongoing Confederation of African Athletes (CAA) U18/U20 Championships in Abeokuta.

Ndubueze secured a gold medal in the U-18 women’s long jump event with a leap of 5.79metres followed closely by Morocco’s Merzarq Kawtar’s 5.62metres and Bouda Sandrine of Burundi winning bronze with 5.25metres.

The athlete, who is partly Nigerian, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that she felt honoured to win a gold medal in her father’s homeland.

 “It is amazing that I was able to take the gold, and I really thank God for giving me the opportunity.

“I am so honoured to be able to compete in my first international meeting in my father’s homeland. As someone who is half Nigerian and half South African, I feel very blessed,” she said.

The young athlete said that with her performance at the championship, she is looking forward to participating in the 2028 Olympics.

She scored herself high, hoping to do better in future competitions.

 “I think I did really well in this championship, but there’s always room for improvement in my performance.

“I’ll go back to training, evaluate my strength and weaknesses, and see what I can improve on,” she said.

Ndubueze added, “I definitely hope to see myself in the Olympics in 2028.

“The thing that motivates me is the reason why I do athletics; to glorify the Lord’s name and to inspire young black girls that it is possible with God,” she said.

She also gave credit to her parents, for their unwavering support, saying, “I’m so blessed to have parents who have always motivated me. Athletics is more of a calling and passion for me, instead of something I do for fun”.

She dedicated the medal to her parents, saying, she was blessed and happy to have her parents watch her compete in the stadium, adding “I sacrificed, and I give this medal to them”.

The athlete urged young talented kids interested in athletics not to give up, no matter the challenges.

 “Young kids who are interested in athletics should never give up. I had a race earlier and came fourth, I would have loved to place higher and win a medal, but I never gave up.

“Never give up, no matter how hard it gets. Don’t stop, especially as females, don’t stop,” she said.

Ndubueze came fourth in 12:29s behind Nigeria’s Miriam Jegede in 12:20s who won bronze in the U-18 100 metres women final. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh