The MTN CHAMPS Continental Relays, a two-day athletic competition held at the Yabatech and Unilag Sports Complexes in Lagos, Nigeria, served as a vibrant showcase of the nation’s burgeoning track and field talent. The event brought together both established stars and rising prospects, highlighting Nigeria’s depth in various athletic disciplines. MTN’s sponsorship underscored its commitment to nurturing grassroots sports development and providing a platform for athletes to excel. The relays lived up to their billing, delivering thrilling races and unexpected outcomes, reaffirming the dynamic nature of competitive athletics.
Day 2 of the competition witnessed the crowning of Favour Ashe and Iyanoluwa Bada as the undisputed champions of the men’s and women’s 100m sprints respectively. Ashe, demonstrating the impressive form he had showcased in the earlier heats, blazed across the finish line in a brisk 10.28 seconds, comfortably outpacing Chidera Ezeakor (10.38s) and Thankgod Igube (10.49s). Bada, equally dominant, solidified her reign in the women’s 100m, securing victory with a wind-assisted time of 11.30s (+2.6m/s). Flore-Julie Krakre and Janet Adesiyan followed, clocking 11.86s and 11.90s respectively, to claim the silver and bronze medals.
The 400m races saw established athletes reaffirm their dominance. Patience Okon-George, a six-time national champion, further cemented her legacy with a season’s best time of 52.67s in the women’s 400m, leaving Miracle Donald-Uwem (55.10s) and Pemisire Adepoju Adedoyin (56.29s) trailing in her wake. In the men’s 400m final, former national champion Samson Nathaniel delivered a commanding performance, clocking a winning time of 46.71s. Benjamin Magaji, representing Team MTN, matched his personal best of 48.04s to secure the second spot, while Deji Sholotan completed the podium with a time of 48.31s.
The junior categories mirrored the senior events with exciting displays of speed and talent. John Caleb extended his undefeated streak in the men’s 100m, securing victory with a time of 10.45s, followed by Qudus Akintoye (10.65s) and Abdulrahman Jimoh (10.75s). The junior women’s 100m was a showcase of Team MTN’s dominance, as its athletes swept the podium. Lucy Nwankwo achieved a significant personal milestone, breaking the 12-second barrier for the first time with a winning time of 11.99s. Teammates Mercy Ogbonna (12.16s) and Azeezat Muhammed Raji (12.18s) completed the sweep, with all three athletes recording improved personal bests from their semifinal performances.
Moving beyond the sprints, the middle-distance events saw Hamid Sambo emerge victorious in the men’s 1500m with a time of 3:59.12, while Ronke Akanbi secured the top spot in the women’s race. The field events also witnessed some compelling competition. In a surprising turn of events, Rukevwe Godsgift Nwagbowu upset the favored Ibukun Daramola in the men’s long jump, leaping to victory with a distance of 7.47m. Daramola, despite a final attempt of 7.39m, settled for second place, while Jeffrey Miracle took third with a jump of 7.25m.
The women’s long jump saw Mary Adeniran set a new personal best of 6.14m, securing the gold medal ahead of Glory Jarrett and Precious Okoronkwo, who finished second and third respectively. The MTN CHAMPS Continental Relays not only showcased the athletic prowess of Nigeria’s current and future stars, but also served as a testament to the positive impact of corporate sponsorship in fostering grassroots sports development. The competition provided a valuable platform for athletes to compete, improve, and aspire to greater heights, solidifying its place as a key event in the Nigerian athletic calendar.
