Sport/Ostrava 2025: Africa out in force, Koech and Ta Lou-Smith shine
African athletes left a strong impression at the Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava, Czech Republic, a stop on the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold, on Tuesday, June 24, with outstanding performances on both the track and in sprint events.
At the Golden Spike meeting, 18-year-old Kenyan Phanuel Koech confirmed his status as a middle-distance prodigy by winning the 1500m in 3:29.05, just days after setting a new U20 world record in Paris. In the women’s 800m, South African Prudence Sekgodiso dominated the race in 1:57.16, ahead of Botswana’s Oratile Nowe, who set a new national record with 1:57.49.
In the sprint events, Côte d’Ivoire shined thanks to Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith, who finished second in the 100m with a season-best time of 10.92 seconds, just behind Liberia’s Thelma Davies (10.91). Nigerian world record holder Tobi Amusan claimed victory in the 100m hurdles with a time of 12.45 seconds, reaffirming her dominance in the discipline.
On the men’s side, Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo stood out in the 200m, while South African Daniel Segers won the 400m in 44.63 seconds. The event also highlighted the growing strength of African middle-distance running, with Ghana’s Isaac Nader earning a podium finish in the 1500m.
