Burkinabè junior athletes delivered outstanding performances at the 2026 U18 and U20 Five Nations Athletics Championships held in Ouagadougou on July 25–26. With a commanding total of 67 medals, Burkina Faso secured first place, outpacing Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo.
Among the standout performers was triple jumper Zalissa Zongo, who claimed nearly six gold medals, including a national record in her event. “I’m thrilled to have broken my own record—previously 13.12 meters, now 13.33 meters. This is just the start; my goal is 14.01 meters,” said Zongo, who is now eyeing the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar and the World Junior Championships in Eugene.
The Burkinabè team topped the overall standings with 27 gold, 30 silver, and 10 bronze medals. Benin followed in second place with 29 medals, trailed by Côte d’Ivoire (14), Togo (21), and Ghana (12). A total of 143 medals were awarded across all events.
U18 division leads the charge
“This victory reflects our federation’s hard work—more than ten national records were shattered, and athletes like Zalissa Zongo and rising star Allan, who improved his personal best by four centimeters to 16.09 meters, set the tone,” shared Missiri Sawadogo, Burkina Faso’s athletics technical director. He emphasized that the Five Nations Championships serve as a vital platform for young talents in West Africa.
In the U18 category, Burkina Faso dominated with 39 medals—17 gold, 17 silver, and 5 bronze. Female athletes earned 20 of these medals, while male competitors secured 19, firmly placing Burkina Faso at the top of this age group.
U20 athletes sustain momentum
The U20 squad continued the winning streak, adding 28 medals to the tally—10 gold, 13 silver, and 5 bronze. Male athletes contributed 16 medals, while female competitors earned 12, reinforcing Burkina Faso’s lead in the overall rankings. French Vokouma, President of the Burkinabè Athletics Federation, praised the team’s consistency and dedication.
These stellar results underscore the depth of talent within Burkina Faso’s athletics program. The young athletes’ success across sprints, jumps, throws, and relays signals strong potential for upcoming regional and continental competitions, including the Youth Olympic Games and World Junior Championships.
