Atalena Napule Gaspore Loliha with her mother Veronica Nakivu and medals, including her African Games gold. May 2, 2025. [World Athletics] A year ago, Atalena Napule Gaspore Loliha crafted a new story for Africa’s youngest nation, South Sudan. She unexpectedly won the first gold medal for her country in the history of the African Games. Claiming her first-ever victory, the 28-year-old former refugee athlete triumphed in the half marathon, clocking 1:14:36 in Accra, Ghana. Loliha, who trains in the global running village of Iten in Kenya, achieved a momentous and consequential milestone for South Sudan, which has endured years of…