By Dorcas Francis Koji
Tobi Amusan led Team Nigeria’s earnings at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary, as the country’s five competing athletes collectively secured $130,000 in prize money.
Amusan claimed the largest share after winning silver in the women’s 100m hurdles, clocking 12.34 seconds to finish behind American Masai Russell, who took gold in 12.22 seconds.
The second-place finish earned Amusan $75,000, while Russell collected the championship’s $150,000 winner’s prize.
Kanyinsola Ajayi was Nigeria’s next highest earner, receiving $25,000 after finishing fourth in the men’s 100m. Ezekiel Nathaniel added $14,000 to the country’s total after placing sixth in the men’s 400m hurdles.
Udodi Onwuzurike earned $10,000 for finishing eighth in the men’s 200m, while Ella Onojuvwevwo completed Nigeria’s individual prize-money haul with $6,000 after placing 12th in the women’s 400m.
Nigeria’s mixed 4x100m relay team, however, was unable to compete after visa complications affected the travel plans of three members of the squad.
Despite the setback, Athletics Federation of Nigeria President Tonobok Okowa praised the young contingent for its performance and said the experience would help the country prepare for the 2027 World Championships.
“The team to Budapest is a young one. I am very proud of the athletes and the way they represented Nigeria in Budapest,” Okowa said.
“They showed courage, determination and the right competitive spirit despite the circumstances surrounding the team’s participation,” he added.
The Budapest championship featured the richest prize purse in athletics history, with a total of $10 million available to athletes.
Individual event winners received $150,000, while silver medallists earned $75,000 and bronze medallists took home $40,000. Relay winners, meanwhile, shared an $80,000 prize.
For Nigeria, Amusan’s silver and the contributions from Ajayi, Nathaniel, Onwuzurike and Onojuvwevwo provided a significant financial return from the inaugural championship, while the performances also offered valuable competitive experience ahead of the 2027 World Championships.
Leave a comment