Burkina Faso’s junior athletes delivered an outstanding performance at the U18 and U20 Five Nations Athletics Championships, held in Ouagadougou on July 25–26, 2026. The national team secured the top spot with a total of 67 medals, outshining Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo.

Zalissa Zongo stood out as one of the brightest stars of the competition. The rising athlete claimed nearly six gold medals, including a national record in the triple jump. “I’m thrilled to have broken my own record—from 13.12 to 13.33. But this is just the beginning; my goal is 14.01,” she shared, already eyeing the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar and the World Junior Championships in Eugene.

The Burkina Faso team dominated the overall standings with 27 golds, 30 silvers, and 10 bronzes—more than double the tally of the runner-up, Benin, which finished with 29 medals. Côte d’Ivoire (14), Togo (21), and Ghana (12) rounded out the field. In total, 143 medals were awarded across all events.

U18 category leads the charge

“This is a moment of great pride for Burkina Faso’s athletics federation. We saw over a dozen national records shattered, and athletes like Zalissa Zongo and the standout Allan, who improved his personal best by 4 cm to 16.09, showcased incredible talent,” said Missiri Sawadogo, Technical Director of the federation. He emphasized that the Five Nations competition serves as a vital stepping stone for young West African athletes.

In the U18 category, Burkina Faso’s athletes dominated with 39 medals—17 golds, 17 silvers, and 5 bronzes. Female competitors contributed 20 medals, while male athletes brought home 19, solidifying the country’s lead in this age group.

U20 athletes sustain momentum

The U20 squad continued the winning trend, adding 28 more medals to the tally—10 golds, 13 silvers, and 5 bronzes. Male athletes earned 16 of these, while female athletes secured 12, further cementing Burkina Faso’s commanding lead in the overall standings. French Vokouma, President of the Burkina Faso Athletics Federation, praised the team’s impressive achievements.

These results underscore the depth of Burkina Faso’s athletics talent pool. From sprints to jumps, throws to relays, every discipline reflected the country’s bright future. With eyes set on regional and continental competitions—including the Youth Olympic Games and World Junior Championships—this generation of athletes is poised to make a lasting impact on African and global athletics.