The MTN CHAMPS Athletics Classics, held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, showcased a spectacular display of athletic prowess, with young talents leaving an indelible mark on the track. Success Oyibu emerged as a shining star, captivating the audience with her breathtaking performance in the Junior Girls’ 200m. Having already secured a silver medal in the 100m, Oyibu displayed remarkable improvement throughout the 200m competition, culminating in a gold-medal-winning run. Her astounding time of 23.71 seconds not only secured her victory but also marked a significant personal best. Perezide Sigah and Vivian Iyamu followed closely behind, also achieving personal bests of 24.24s and 24.30s respectively, completing a thrilling podium finish in the junior women’s sprint.
The junior men’s 200m race proved equally captivating, with David Akhalu demonstrating his exceptional speed and determination. Akhalu, like Oyibu, shattered his previous best time, crossing the finish line in a remarkable 21.29 seconds to claim the coveted gold medal. The race was fiercely competitive, with Wilfred Awonusi and Eniola Shiro hot on his heels, clocking times of 21.34s and 21.35s respectively. The close finish highlighted the depth of talent in the junior men’s category, promising further exciting competitions in the future.
Moving to the senior events, Sophia Efetobore continued her dominance in the sprints, mirroring Oyibu’s success by adding the 200m title to her 100m victory. Efetobore’s winning time of 23.72s demonstrated her remarkable consistency and speed, solidifying her position as one of the leading female sprinters. Jane Onyeneho and Janet Adesiyan completed the podium with respectable times of 24.58s and 24.90s, respectively, further showcasing the strength of the women’s sprinting field.
The senior men’s 200m race saw Lucky Daje emerge as the champion, delivering a powerful performance to clock a winning time of 21.09s. Emmanuel Ojeli and Augustine Ezuruike trailed closely behind, finishing in 21.28s and 21.53s respectively, highlighting the intense competition in the senior men’s category. Daje’s victory underscored his speed and explosive power, marking him as a force to be reckoned with in the sprinting world.
Shifting focus to the middle-distance events, the 800m races provided their own share of thrilling moments. Hamid Sambo showcased his tactical prowess in the senior men’s 800m, executing a strong finish to secure victory with a season’s best time of 1:51.64. This impressive performance marked the fourth-fastest time Sambo has ever recorded in the event, demonstrating his consistent excellence in the 800m. Adedokun Ayobami and Temitope Karounwi followed closely behind, clocking times of 1:52.12 and 1:52.73 respectively, making for a tightly contested race.
Rhoda Adisa dominated the senior women’s 800m, taking an early lead and maintaining a strong pace throughout the race. Her winning time of 2:06.21 demonstrated her exceptional endurance and tactical awareness. Fatimah Adebayo and Adeyinka Mulero finished in second and third place with times of 2:12.05 and 2:16.55 respectively. Adisa’s commanding performance solidified her status as a leading contender in the women’s 800m. Olaitan Ayomide put on a remarkable display in the junior men’s 800m, breaking the two-minute barrier with a winning time of 1:57.89. Samson Tebowei and Solomon Okundaye finished second and third, clocking times of 1:59.97 and 2:00.16 respectively. Ayomide’s impressive performance signaled his potential for future success in the event.
Kehinde Olude showcased her dominance in the junior women’s 800m, securing a comfortable victory with a time of 2:17.31. Precious Orogun and Favour Dio finished second and third with times of 2:49.14 and 2:51.17 respectively, highlighting Olude’s superior pace and endurance.
The youth categories also witnessed exciting competitions, with Chukwueweniwe Olisa Emmanuel narrowly edging out Nwabueze in a thrilling finish to win the boys’ 800m gold. Emmanuel’s winning time of 2:03.37 was just a hair’s breadth ahead of Nwabueze’s 2:03.41, showcasing the intense competition and promising future for these young athletes. Emmanuel Umeadi finished third with a time of 2:05.59, completing the podium for the boys’ 800m.
In the youth girls’ 800m, Elisha Agape shone brightly, achieving a personal best time of 2:14.90 to claim the gold medal. Mary Edeh followed closely behind with a time of 2:16.48, while Esohe Ugbo secured third place with a time of 2:29.88. Agape’s victory and personal best performance highlighted her potential and marked her as a rising star in the sport. The MTN CHAMPS Athletics Classics provided a platform for these young athletes to showcase their talents and compete against the best in their respective age groups. The competition saw numerous personal bests, demonstrating the dedication and hard work of these promising athletes, and setting the stage for an exciting future for Nigerian athletics.
