List of African youth bests in athletics explained

African youth bests in the sport of athletics are the all-time best marks set in competition by African athletes aged 17 or younger throughout the entire calendar year of the performance. Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) doesn't maintain an official list for such performances. All bests shown on this list are tracked by statisticians not officially sanctioned by the governing body.

Outdoor

Boys

EventRecordAthleteNationalityDateMeetPlaceAgeRef
100m10.20 (+1.5 m/s)Tlotliso Leotlela7 September 2015Commonwealth Youth GamesApia, Samoa[1]
10.2 Retshidisitswe Mlenga4 March 2016Germiston, South Africa[2] [3]
200 m20.43 (-0.4 m/s)Sinesipho Dambile15 March 2019AGN Youth, Junior & Senior Championships Pretoria, South Africa[4]
20.32 Sinesipho Dambile15 March 2019Pretoria, South Africa
400 m45.15 Riaan Dempers6 May 1994Secunda, South Africa[5]
800 m1:43.37Mohammed Aman10 September 2011Rieti MeetingRieti, Italy[6] [7]
1000 m2:17.59Japheth Kimutai23 August 1995Copenhagen, Denmark
1500 m3:33.72Nicholas Kiptanui Kemboi18 August 2006Weltklasse ZürichZürich, Switzerland
Mile3:54.56Isaac Kiprono Songok20 August 2001Linz, Austria
2000 m4:56.86Isaac Kiprono Songok31 August 2001ISTAFBerlin, Germany
3000 m7:32.37Abreham Cherkos11 July 2006Lausanne, Switzerland
Two miles8:16.07Abreham Cherkos28 May 2006Eugene, United States
5000 m12:54.19Abreham Cherkos14 July 2006Golden GalaRome, Italy
5 km (road)13:04Biniam Mehary9 December 2023Annual Charity RunAl Khobar, Saudi Arabia[8]
10000 m27:02.81Ibrahim Jeilan25 August 2006Memorial Van DammeBrussels, Belgium
10 km (road)28:05Abayneh Degu11 October 2015Grand 10 BerlinBerlin, Germany[9]
20 km (road)58:20Phaustin Baha Sulle17 October 199920 Kilomètres de ParisParis, France[10]
Half marathon1:00:38Phaustin Baha Sulle4 September 1999Lille Half MarathonLille, France
Marathon
110 m hurdles
(91.4 cm)
110 m hurdles
(99/100 cm)
110 m hurdles
(106.7 cm)
400 m hurdles
(84.0 cm)		48.84Sokwakhana Zazini17 March 2017Gauteng North ChampionshipsPretoria, South Africa[11]
400 m hurdles
(91.4 cm)		48.89Louis Jacob van Zyl19 July 2002Kingston, Jamaica
2000 m steeplechase5:21.36Nabil Ouhaddi16 July 2006Rabat, Morocco
3000 m steeplechase8:12.28Getnet Wale11 June 2017Fanny Blankers-Koen GamesHengelo, Netherlands[12]
High jump2.25 mJacques Freitag1 July 1999Pretoria, South Africa[13]
Breyton Poole4 November 2017Western Province Athletics Open MeetingCape Town, South Africa[14]
Pole vault5.30 mKyle Rademeyer29 March 2019South African U18 ChampionshipsPaarl, South Africa[15]
Long jump7.75 m (+1.2 m/s)Sifiso Miya11 December 2018AUSC Region 5 Youth GamesGaborone, Botswana[16]
Triple jump16.22 m (+2.0 m/s)Ineh Emmeanuel Oritsemeyiwa26 July 2018African Youth GamesAlgiers, Algeria[17]
Shot put (5 kg)
Shot put (5.44 kg)
Shot put (6 kg)
Shot put (7.26 kg)
Discus throw
(1.5 kg)
Discus throw
(1.75 kg)
Discus throw
(2 kg)
Hammer throw
(5 kg)
Hammer throw
(6 kg)
Hammer throw
(7.26 kg)
Javelin throw
(700 g)
Javelin throw
(800 g)
Octathlon
(100 m), (long jump), (shot put), (400 m) /
(110 m hurdles), (high jump), (javelin), (1000 m)
Decathlon
10000 m walk (track)40:55.96Yohanis Algaw23 July 2016World U20 ChampionshipsBydgoszcz, Poland[18]
10 km walk (road)44:47Zenamarkos Asmare7 May 2016IAAF World Race Walking Team ChampionshipsRome, Italy[19]
20000 m walk (track)
20 km walk (road)
50000 m walk (track)
50 km walk (road)
4 × 100 m relay
4 × 400 m relay
Medley relay

Girls

EventRecordAthleteNationalityDateMeetPlaceAgeRef
100 m11.22 (+0.2 m/s)31 March 2022ASA U18 ChampionshipsPotchefstroom, South Africa[20]
200 m23.24 (0.0 m/s)Favour Ofili26 June 2019African Games TrialsAbuja, Nigeria[21]
400 m50.99 Beatrice Masilingi3 October 2020Kip Keino ClassicNairobi, Kenya[22]
800 m1:59.74Diribe Welteji12 July 2018World U20 ChampionshipsTampere, Finland[23]
1000 m2:37.9 Zola Budd7 February 1983Bloemfontein, South Africa[24]
1500 m3:54.93Birke Haylom16 July 2023Kamila Skolimowska MemorialChorzów, Poland[25]
Mile4:17.13Birke Haylom15 June 2023Bislett GamesOslo, Norway[26]
2000 m5:46.5Sally Barsosio16 August 1995Weltklasse ZürichZürich, Switzerland
3000 m8:39.00Zola Budd2 April 1983Durban, South Africa[27]
5000 m14:37.94Birke Haylom23 July 2023Anniversary GamesLondon, United Kingdom[28]
5 km (road)14:53Medina Eisa30 April 2022Adizero Road to RecordsHerzogenaurach, Germany[29]
10000 m31:15.38Sally Barsosio21 August 1993World ChampionshipsStuttgart, Germany[30]
10 km (road)30:38Yenawa Nbret22 September 2024tRUNsylvania International 10KBrasov, Romania[31]
Half marathon1:08:25Alem Nigussie20 October 2019Delhi Half MarathonNew Delhi, India[32]
Marathon
100 m hurdles (76.2 cm)
100 m hurdles (84 cm)
400 m hurdles56.50Kate Obilor22 July 2001Nigerian ChampionshipsLagos, Nigeria[33]
2000 m steeplechase6:11.83Korahubish Itaa10 July 2009World Youth ChampionshipsBrixen, Italy
3000 m steeplechase9:24.73Celliphine Chepteek Chespol14 May 2016Shanghai Golden Grand PrixShanghai, China[34]
High jump1.96 m Charmaine Weavers4 April 1981Bloemfontein, South Africa
Pole vault
Long jump6.45 mIbifuro Tobin-West29 June 2001AAC Region II MeetLagos, Nigeria[35]
Triple jump13.38 m (+1.5 m/s)Ibifuro Tobin-West3 July 2002Limoges, France[36]
Shot put (3 kg)18.18 mZonica Lindeque10 April 2021ASA Age Group ChampionshipsPaarl, South Africa[37]
Discus throw
Hammer throw (3 kg)66.99 Tharina Van Der Walt13 May 2017Pretoria, South Africa
Javelin throw
Heptathlon
5000 m walk (track)22:48.25Ayalnesh Dejene18 July 2015World Youth ChampionshipsCali, Colombia[38]
10000 m walk (track)49:42.48Janise Nell10 April 2021ASA Age Group ChampionshipsPaarl, South Africa[39]
10 km walk (road)
20000 m walk (track)
10 km walk (road)
4 × 100 m relay
4 × 400 m relay
Medley relay

Indoor

Boys

EventRecordAthleteNationalityDateMeetPlaceAgeRef
60 m6.72Ahmed Awesu10 January 2004Sharon Anderson MemorialToronto, Canada[40]
200 m
400 m47.35Victor Akhalu7 March 2020NJCAA ChampionshipsLynchburg, United States[41]
800 m1:48.12Mohammed Aman8 February 2011Meeting Pas de CalaisLiévin, France[42]
1000 m
1500 m3:37.61Melkeneh Azeze12 February 2022PSD Bank Meeting DortmundDortmund, Germany[43]
Mile
2000 m4:57.74Yomif Kejelcha28 February 2014Meeting National en salle de MetzMetz, France[44] [45]
3000 m7:42.05Yomif Kejelcha26 January 2014Meeting National en salle de BordeauxBordeaux, France[46] [47]
5000 m
60 m hurdles
60 m hurdles
(91.4 cm)		7.87Nathan Nsakala12 February 2017French U18 ChampionshipsNantes, France[48]
High jump
Pole vault
Long jump
Triple jump
Shot put
Heptathlon
5000 m walk
4 × 400 m relay

Girls

EventRecordAthleteNationalityDateMeetPlaceAgeRef
60 m
200 m
400 m
800 m2:02.64Diribe Welteji10 February 2019Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-CalaisLiévin, France[49]
1500 m4:06.62Saron Berhe30 January 2024Czech Indoor GalaOstrava, Czech Republic[50]
Mile4:24.23Saron Berhe30 January 2024Czech Indoor GalaOstrava, Czech Republic[51]
3000 m8:46.01Gotytom Gebreslase4 February 2012Boston, United States
5000 m
60 m hurdles
60 m hurdles (76.2 cm)8.58Manuella Cancade17 January 2016Lyon, France[52]
High jump
Pole vault4.11 mSydney Rothman14 February 200714e AV PEC 1910 IndoorApeldoorn, Netherlands[53]
Long jump
Triple jump13.36 m Tessy Ebosele16 February 2019Spanish ChampionshipsAntequera, Spain[54]
Shot put
Pentathlon
3000 m walk
4 × 400 m relay

Notes and References

  1. News: Leotlela clocks second fastest ever youth 100m with 10.20 in Samoa. IAAF. Phil Minshull. 7 September 2015. 13 September 2015.
  2. News: Athletics: Botswana Junior Sets Pace For Nigeria. tadall.com. Dare Esan. 2016. 24 July 2016.
  3. Web site: Khairul Hafiz Becomes Asian Junior Champion. adriansprints.com. Jad Adrian. 4 June 2016. 24 July 2016.
  4. Web site: AGN Youth, Junior & Senior Championships. agn.co.za. 19 March 2019. 28 April 2019.
  5. Web site: All time Top lists – 400 Metres Men. World Athletics. 18 October 2020.
  6. News: Rieti's temple to middle distance witnesses Rudisha clock 1:41.33 and Kiprop romp to 3:30.46 in Rieti - IAAF World Challenge. IAAF. Diego Sampaolo. 10 September 2011. 10 September 2011.
  7. News: 800 Metres Results . www.rietimeeting.com . 10 September 2011 . 10 September 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120327025455/http://www.rietimeeting.com/results/2011/re0110041.pdf . 27 March 2012 .
  8. Web site: Men's 5K Road Run Results. World Athletics. 21 November 2024.
  9. Web site: results: 10 km Lauf. mika:timing. 24 August 2020.
  10. News: Domingos Castro victorious in Paris. IAAF. 17 October 1999. 24 August 2020.
  11. News: Manyonga smashes African long jump record with 8.62m. IAAF. Ockert de Villiers. 17 March 2017. 18 March 2017.
  12. Web site: 3000 Metres Steeplechase Results. World Athletics. 11 June 2017. 24 August 2020.
  13. Web site: All time Top lists – High Jump Men. World Athletics. 18 October 2020.
  14. Web site: RESULTS: WPA OPEN MEETING. mycomlink.co.za. 18 October 2020.
  15. News: Rademeyer breaks SA pole vault record at Twizza ASA U18 and U20 Track & Field Championships. Athletics South Africa. 30 March 2019. 22 October 2020.
  16. Web site: Region 5 Youth Games 2018 – Official results. africathle.com. 11 December 2018. 22 October 2020.
  17. Web site: TRIPLE GARCONS/TRIPLE JUMP BOYS – FINAL – RESULT. Ligue Algéroise d'athlétisme. 22 October 2020.
  18. Web site: RESULTS – 10,000 Metres Race Walk Men - Final. IAAF. 23 July 2016. 22 October 2020.
  19. Web site: RESULTS – 10 Kilometres Race Walk Men. IAAF. 7 May 2016. 22 October 2020.
  20. Web site: Jingqi Breaks South African U18 100m Record Thrice In Potchefstroom. athletics.africa. 31 March 2022. 2 June 2023.
  21. News: Jakpa shines on Day 2 of African Games Trials as Ofili, Ojeli & Okon-George claim titles. Making of Champions. Yemi Olus. 26 June 2019. 22 October 2020.
  22. News: World champions shine as Kip Keino Classic delivers the magic in Nairobi. World Athletics. Alex Isaboke. 3 October 2020. 13 October 2020.
  23. Web site: RESULTS – 800 Metres Women - Final. IAAF. 12 July 2018. 23 October 2020.
  24. Web site: All time Top lists – 1000 Metres Women. World Athletics. 25 August 2020.
  25. News: Ingebrigtsen, Rojas and Barshim break meeting records in Silesia. World Athletics. 16 July 2023. 16 July 2023.
  26. Web site: Mile Run Result. sportresult.com. 15 June 2023. 23 July 2023. 16 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230616140056/https://static.sportresult.com/sports/at/data/2023/oslo/ATHW1MILE---DIAMOND---FNL-000100--_C73C1_2.0.PDF. dead.
  27. Web site: All time Top lists – 3000 Metres Women. World Athletics. 23 October 2020.
  28. Web site: 5000m Results. sportresult.com. 23 July 2023. 23 July 2023.
  29. News: Kejelcha and Kandie victorious in Herzogenaurach. World Athletics. 30 April 2022. 20 May 2022.
  30. Web site: 10,000 Metres women. World Athletics. 23 October 2020.
  31. Web site: Women's 10K Road Run Results. World Athletics. 21 November 2024.
  32. News: Weekend road round-up: course records broken in Amsterdam, Delhi, Toronto and Lisbon. World Athletics. 20 October 2019. 21 November 2024.
  33. Web site: All time Top lists – 400 Metres Hurdles Women. World Athletics. 23 October 2020.
  34. Web site: 3000 Metres Steeplechase Results. World Athletics. 14 May 2016. 25 August 2020.
  35. Web site: June results. africathle.com. 24 October 2020.
  36. Web site: All time Top lists – Triple Jump Women. World Athletics. 24 October 2020.
  37. Web site: Records fall on day three of ASA Age Group Champs. ASA. 11 April 2021. 23 April 2021.
  38. Web site: RESULTS – 5000 Metres Race Walk Girls - Final. IAAF. 18 July 2015. 24 October 2020.
  39. Web site: Records fall on day three of ASA Age Group Champs. ASA. 11 April 2021. 23 April 2021.
  40. Web site: Sharon Anderson Memorial Track Meet – COMPLETE RESULTS FOR FINALS. trackie.com. 13 February 2021.
  41. Web site: Men 400 Meter Dash - Finals. live.athletic.net. 3 March 2020. 13 February 2021.
  42. Web site: 800 Metres Results. www.meeting-pasdecalais.com. 8 February 2011. 3 March 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20110812170842/http://www.meeting-pasdecalais.com/resultats2011/result_800M-012.pdf. 12 August 2011. dead.
  43. News: 2022 PSD Bank Meeting Results. World Athletics. 12 February 2022. 14 February 2022.
  44. Web site: Metz 2000 Metres Results. bases.athle.com. 28 February 2014. 6 March 2014.
  45. News: EME News February 28th-March 1st. American Track & Field. Alfons Juck. 1 March 2014. 6 March 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140306144827/http://american-trackandfield.com/atf/index.php/news/track-and-field/item/998-eme-news-february-28th-march-1st-by-alfons-juck. 6 March 2014. dead.
  46. Web site: Bordeaux 3000 Metres Results. bases.athle.com. 26 January 2014. 1 February 2014.
  47. News: EME News January 26th. American Track & Field. Alfons Juck. 27 January 2014. 1 February 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140202211504/http://american-trackandfield.com/atf/index.php/news/track-and-field/item/958-eme-news-january-26th-by-alfons-juck-note-by-kevin-mangan. 2 February 2014. dead.
  48. Web site: 11/02/17 - Championnats de France Cadets, Juniors en salle – 60m Haies (91)-salle / CAM. French Athletics Federation. French. 14 February 2021.
  49. Web site: 800m Femmes. meetinglievin.com. French. 10 February 2019. 14 February 2021.
  50. Web site: Czech Indoor Gala 1500m women results. atletika.cz. 30 January 2024. 30 January 2024.
  51. Web site: Czech Indoor Gala Mile women results. atletika.cz. 30 January 2024. 30 January 2024.
  52. Web site: All time Top lists – 60m Hurdles (76.2cm) Women. World Athletics. 14 February 2021.
  53. Web site: Pole Vault Results. World Athletics. 30 January 2024.
  54. Web site: LV Campeonato de España Absoluto de Atletismo . https://web.archive.org/web/20210122193142/https://resultados.rfea.es/2019/pistacubierta/pc_absoluto_antequera.pdf . 2021-01-22 . 14 February 2021 . . Spanish.

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