Burkina Faso shines at U18 and U20 Five Nations Championships 2026

The young athletes of Burkina Faso delivered outstanding performances at the 2026 U18 and U20 Five Nations Athletics Championships, held in Ouagadougou on July 25–26. With a total of 67 medals, the country claimed first place, leaving behind Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo.

Zalissa Zongo emerged as one of the standout stars, securing nearly six gold medals, including a national record in the triple jump. “I’m thrilled to have broken my own record—I jumped 13.33 meters, surpassing my previous best of 13.12. But this is just the beginning; my goal is to reach 14.01,” she shared, already eyeing the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar and the World Junior Championships in Eugene.

Burkina Faso dominated the overall standings with 27 gold, 30 silver, and 10 bronze medals. Benin finished second with 29 medals, followed by Côte d’Ivoire (14), Togo (21), and Ghana (12). In total, 143 medals were awarded across all events.

U18 athletes lead the charge

Missiri Sawadogo, Burkina Faso’s athletics technical director, highlighted the federation’s success in breaking over a dozen national records. “We had exceptional athletes like Zalissa Zongo, who claimed nearly six golds, and young Allan, who improved his personal best by four centimeters to 16.09 meters,” he noted. For Sawadogo, the Five Nations Championships serve as a vital stepping stone for rising talent in the region.

In the U18 category, Burkina Faso secured 39 medals—17 gold, 17 silver, and 5 bronze—with female athletes earning 20 and male athletes 19. This strong showing placed Burkina Faso at the top of the U18 rankings.

U20 athletes maintain dominance

The U20 athletes continued the winning trend, adding 28 medals (10 gold, 13 silver, and 5 bronze). Male competitors claimed 16 medals, while female athletes brought home 12, reinforcing Burkina Faso’s lead in the overall standings. French Vokouma, president of Burkina Faso’s athletics federation, praised the team’s achievements.

These results underscore Burkina Faso’s thriving athletics talent pipeline. From sprints to jumps, throws, and relays, the nation’s young stars have set the stage for future regional and continental competitions, including the Youth Olympics and World Junior Championships.