Benin: Littoral retains title with 12 gold medals in endurance walking

Littoral has successfully defended its title as the champion of Benin’s endurance walking competition, concluding the second edition held from September 11 to 13, 2026, in Natitingou. The delegation finished the national phase with six trophies and 22 medals, including 12 gold.

The walkers from the department added one silver medal and nine bronze medals to their twelve golds. Their haul included individual events as well as the men’s and women’s relays over 4 x 2,500 meters, in a competition featuring representatives from all twelve departments of the country.

Natitingou succeeded Porto-Novo, the host city of the first edition in October 2025. Littoral had already triumphed in both relays, clocking 1 hour 01 minutes 58 seconds 14 for the women and 52 minutes 42 seconds 2 for the men, before maintaining its top position in the championship this year.

Rodrigue Djimenou, the national technical director of the Benin Federation for Sport for All, noted that the technical level has improved compared to the first edition. The national phase brought together the best walkers from departmental qualifications and also served to assess profiles likely to join the national team.

The Federation announced that Benin’s next international endurance walking event will take place in Abidjan between late November and early December 2026.