Burkina Faso shines at U18 and U20 five-nation athletics championships

The young athletes from Burkina Faso delivered outstanding performances at the U18 and U20 Five-Nation Athletics Championships held on July 25-26, 2026 in Ouagadougou. Securing a total of 67 medals, the Burkinabè team claimed the top spot, outpacing Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo.

Zalissa Zongo emerged as one of the standout performers, dominating the competition with nearly six gold medals, including a national record in the triple jump. “I’m thrilled to have broken my own record—my previous best was 13.12 meters, and now I’ve reached 13.33 meters. But that’s just the beginning; my sights are set on 14.01 meters,” she shared enthusiastically. Zongo is now focused on the upcoming Youth Olympic Games in Dakar and the World Junior Championships in Eugene.

Burkina Faso dominated the medal tally with 67 medals—27 gold, 30 silver, and 10 bronze—securing its position at the top of the overall standings. 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 distributed across all events.

U18 category leads the way

Missiri Sawadogo, Burkina Faso’s athletics technical director, expressed pride in the team’s achievements, highlighting over a dozen national records broken during the championships. “We had exceptional athletes like Zalissa Zongo, who claimed nearly six golds, and a young athlete named Allan, who improved his personal best by 4 centimeters to reach 16.09 meters,” he noted. Sawadogo emphasized the significance of the Five-Nation Championships as a launchpad for young West African athletes.

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

U20 athletes reinforce Burkina Faso’s leadership

The U20 athletes continued the trend, adding 28 medals to the tally—10 gold, 13 silver, and 5 bronze. Male athletes won 16 medals, and female athletes secured 12, further cementing Burkina Faso’s lead in the overall standings. Français Vokouma, President of the Burkina Faso Athletics Federation, praised the team’s exceptional results, calling them a testament to the nation’s bright future in the sport.

The impressive medal haul underscores the depth of Burkina Faso’s athletics talent. With standout performances in sprints, jumps, throws, and relays, the young athletes have set their sights on future regional and continental competitions, including the Youth Olympic Games and World Junior Athletics Championships.