Burkina Faso athletes shine at u18 and u20 five nations championships

Young athletes from Burkina Faso delivered outstanding performances at the 2026 U18 and U20 Five Nations Championships, held in Ouagadougou from July 25 to 26. The team secured a commanding victory, clinching a total of 67 medals to finish at the top of the standings, ahead of Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo.

Burkinabè competitors showcased exceptional talent, with several athletes setting new national records. Among them was Zalissa Zongo, who dominated the triple jump event, collecting nearly six gold medals and shattering her own national record with a leap of 13.33 meters. “I’m thrilled to have broken my personal best, but my sights are set even higher—I’m aiming for 14.01 meters,” she shared, while also expressing her ambition to compete at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar and the World Junior Championships in Eugene.

The Burkinabè team finished first in the overall standings with 67 medals—27 gold, 30 silver, and 10 bronze—securing a significant lead over the other nations. Benin claimed second place with 29 medals, followed by Côte d’Ivoire with 14, Togo with 21, and Ghana with 12. In total, 143 medals were awarded across all events.

U18 athletes lead the charge

Missiri Sawadogo, Burkina Faso’s technical director, expressed pride in the team’s achievements, highlighting the more than ten national records broken during the event. “We had exceptional athletes like Zalissa Zongo, who dominated with nearly six gold medals, and young Allan, who set a new personal best of 16.09 meters in the long jump, improving by four centimeters,” he noted. Sawadogo emphasized that the Five Nations Championships serve as a vital platform for nurturing young talent in the region.

In the U18 category, Burkina Faso dominated with 39 medals—17 gold, 17 silver, and 5 bronze. Female athletes contributed 20 medals, while their male counterparts earned 19, solidifying the country’s lead in this age group.

U20 athletes reinforce Burkina Faso’s dominance

The U20 athletes continued the winning trend, adding 28 more medals to the tally—10 gold, 13 silver, and 5 bronze. Male competitors secured 16 medals, while female athletes claimed 12, further cementing Burkina Faso’s top position in the overall rankings. Français Vokouma, president of the Burkinabè Athletics Federation, lauded the team’s remarkable achievements.

This medal haul underscores the bright future of Burkinabè athletics. The impressive performances in sprints, jumps, throws, and relays signal strong potential for upcoming regional and African competitions, including the Youth Olympic Games and the World Junior Athletics Championships.