U-20 World Athletics: Shocking Victory as 18-Year-Old Udeme Okon Secures Gold for South Africa in 400m Final
In a stunning performance at the U-20 World Championships in Lima, Peru, 18-year-old Udeme Okon clinched the gold medal for South Africa in the men’s 400m final on Friday, August 30.
Okon crossed the finish line with a time of 45.69 seconds, beating out competitors Jayden Davis (46.08) and Sidi Njie (46.29). This victory marks a consecutive triumph for South Africa in this event, following Lythe Pillay’s win in Colombia two years ago.
This achievement also makes Okon the second South African athlete to win gold at this year’s U-20 World Championships, following Bayanda Walaza’s victory in the men’s 100m with a time of 10.19 seconds.
Born on September 3, 2005, Okon is a grade 11 student at Florida Park High School in Johannesburg. He has a Nigerian father and a South African mother.