Historic Victory: Nigeria Dominates Debut African Run Archery Championship

Nigeria announced its arrival on the continental stage with a commanding performance at Africa’s first-ever Run Archery Tournament in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The landmark event, held at the Palais des Sports de Treichville on November 15–16, attracted top athletes from across West Africa, showcasing a thrilling mix of speed, endurance, and precision.

Representing Zen Archery Club, Lagos, Nigeria emerged as the standout nation, sweeping gold in both individual and team events. In the Individual Sprint, Emmanuel Oyeleke delivered a masterful display of speed and accuracy to claim gold, while teammate Tola Adebayo-Lateef closely followed to secure silver. Host nation Ivory Coast’s Obo Cedric completed the podium with bronze.

The Nigerian duo extended their dominance in the Team Relay Sprint, combining flawless coordination and sharpshooting to secure another gold medal. Their performance underscored Nigeria’s discipline, synergy, and competitive spirit, making a powerful statement in the sport’s inaugural African outing.

Oyeleke reflected on the achievement, saying, “This is a historic moment not just for us, but for Nigeria and African archery. We’re honoured to carry the flag and demonstrate what is possible. We thank the organisers, the Ivorian Archery Federation, World Archery, and all the facilitators of the seminar and competition for this incredible opportunity.”

Run Archery—a fast-growing hybrid sport blending running and archery—has seen global expansion, and Nigeria’s sweeping success in Abidjan highlights the nation’s potential to become a pioneering force in Africa.