The young athletes of Burkina Faso delivered a stellar performance at the Five Nations U18 and U20 Athletics Championships held in Ouagadougou on July 25–26, 2026, securing first place with a total of 67 medals. Behind them stood Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo, highlighting Burkina Faso’s dominance in the regional competition.
Among the standout performers was Zalissa Zongo, whose exceptional talent shone brightly. She claimed nearly six gold medals, including a national record in the triple jump. Speaking with pride, she shared, “I’m thrilled to have broken my own record. My previous mark was 13.12 meters—I’ve now reached 13.33. But this is just the beginning; my goal is to hit 14.01.” Zongo’s sights are set on the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar and the World Junior Championships in Eugene, where she aims to continue her winning streak.
The Burkinabè team’s tally included 27 gold, 30 silver, and 10 bronze medals, outpacing their rivals. Benin finished second with 29 medals, followed by Côte d’Ivoire (14), Togo (21), and Ghana (12). In total, 143 medals were distributed across all events, underscoring the competitive spirit of the championships.
U18 athletes lead the charge
The under-18 category proved to be a stronghold for Burkina Faso, with the team amassing 39 medals—17 gold, 17 silver, and 5 bronze. Female athletes contributed 20 medals, while their male counterparts earned 19, propelling Burkina Faso to the top of this age group. Missiri Sawadogo, Technical Director of the Burkinabè Athletics Federation, expressed his satisfaction: “This competition was a springboard for our young athletes. We shattered over a dozen national records, and athletes like Zalissa Zongo and Allan, who improved his personal best by 4 cm to reach 16.09 meters, exemplify the talent we’re nurturing.”
U20 athletes reinforce Burkina Faso’s lead
The under-20 athletes maintained the momentum, adding 28 more medals to the tally—10 gold, 13 silver, and 5 bronze. Male athletes contributed 16 medals, while female athletes secured 12, further cementing Burkina Faso’s lead in the overall standings. Français Vokouma, President of the Burkinabè Athletics Federation, praised the team’s achievements, emphasizing the bright future ahead for Burkinabè athletics.
These remarkable results reflect a promising generation of athletes ready to make their mark on the regional and continental stage. With standout performances in sprints, jumps, throws, and relays, Burkina Faso’s young stars are poised to shine brightly in upcoming competitions, including the Youth Olympic Games and World Junior Athletics Championships.
