Rosemary Nwankwo of N-Youth Sports Academy has won the women’s 100 meters gold medal for Nigeria at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, clocking 11.16 seconds in the final.
Rosemary Nwankwo journey with the academy began at the fifth National Youth Games, where she represented her State.
The academy identified her talent at the competition. It awarded her a full scholarship covering her education and sports training, enabling her to continue her studies while developing as a sprinter.
Her performances ahead of Dakar strengthened expectations that she could compete for gold.
At the 2025 African School Games in Algeria, Nwankwo won 100 meters gold and 200 meters silver and helped Nigeria secure medley relay gold.
In 2026, she added another continental title as a member of Nigeria’s 4×100 meters relay team at the CAA Championships.
In Dakar, Nwankwo won her semi-final heat in 11.53 seconds before clocking 11.16 seconds in the final.
She became the third Nigerian woman to win the Youth Olympic 100 meters title, following Josephine Omaka, who won in Singapore in 2010, and Rosemary Chukwuma, who triumphed in Buenos Aires in 2018.
Nigeria also won the men’s 100 meters title, with Gift Bright taking gold in a personal-best 10.28 seconds.
The victories made Nigeria the first country to win both the men’s and women’s 100m titles at the same edition of the Youth Olympic Games.
For N-Youth Sports Academy, Nwankwo’s victory marks a milestone for its scholarship programme.
From representing her State to winning gold for Nigeria in Dakar, she has combined her education with athletic development, progressing from national competition to continental titles and Youth Olympic gold.
Her journey reflects the academy’s mission to develop educated champions.
A statement from N-Youth Sports Academy Director, Enes Çaylı, reads:
“On behalf of N-Youth Sports Academy, I congratulate Rosemary Chigozie Nwankwo on winning Youth Olympic gold for Nigeria.
“I thank Rosemary for her dedication, her family for standing by her, the Anambra State Sports Commission for supporting her development, and her mentor, Madam Mary Onyali, for guiding her along the way.
“We believe that when young Nigerians are given genuine opportunities and consistent support, they will make the most of them. Rosemary and Miracle Ezechukwu have both shown us what is possible.
“Seeing Rosemary become a Youth Olympic champion is the result of years of hard work on her part and sustained investment in her education and athletic development.
“Nearly 45 student-athletes have benefited from our scholarship programme, which covers both education and sports training.
“Among them are footballer Peter Osayande Edokpolor and taekwondo athlete Crown Umeh, who have both gone on to compete internationally.
“Our athletes have represented Nigeria on 17 occasions in international competition. Rosemary’s gold is a proud moment for everyone who has helped these young athletes pursue their education and compete internationally.”
