Netizens are divided after athlete Udeme Okon won another gold medal for South Africa at the U20 World Championships in Lima, Peru.
Udeme Okon Wins Another Gold Medal For South Africa
Okon, an 18-year-old Grade 11 learner from Florida Park High School in Johannesburg, clinched the win in 45.69 seconds. He outpaced Jayden Davis (46.08) and Sidi Njie (46.29). This victory keeps the championship in South Africa after Lythe Pillay’s success in Colombia two years prior.
It’s another 𝐖 for Team South Africa 🙌🥇
Udeme Okon deserves gold with a running style as smooth as that 😏🇿🇦#WorldAthleticsU20 pic.twitter.com/gnBJr9aERv
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) August 30, 2024
By the end of three days of competition, South Africa was in second place on the medals table, behind Ethiopia, with two golds, one silver, and a bronze.
Bayanda Walaza, who claimed the 100m title in Peru, is set to solidify his dominance in the men’s sprints by aiming for a 100-200m double on Friday night (1:47am Saturday morning). Walaza, also 18, posted the fastest time in the semifinals on Thursday night (Friday morning SA time), winning his heat in 21.00 seconds, narrowly beating American Jaden Wiley, who finished in 21.04.
“He’s Nigerian”
Sports Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie congratulated Udeme Okon following his 400m win:
“Gold everywhere, well done. Udeme Okon for your great victory in the men’s 400m final 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦”
However, people were divided in the comments.
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Some claimed his name is not South African and sounds Nigerian, hence they could not celebrate the win.
Check out their comments below.
Ofentse:
“You guys need to relax, this is a popular name😕 This man has No DNA🧬, he’s just RSA🇿🇦”
TJ:
“When you win you are ours because we are shining but when you don’t make…….fokof🤣🚮🤭”
Shiyak’lenga:
“You said well done to Who? Investigate him. We don’t have Okoni surname in South Africa, that gold is for Nigeria, his home. We are clear on who will represent us in the world. No fear, no favour.”
Stage:
“Did you verify his identity? I’m not fighting it’s just an ask.”
Bandz:
“Even if he’s father is Nigerian and his mother is South African, it’s compulsory to have a South African name, just like the Chinese when they acquire citizenship. Name him Sipho or something.”
Astido:
“Congratulations to him. Please no one must question anything, boy is South African qha 💯🔥”