Four days of MTN CHAMPS and Continental relays came to a fitting final Saturday at the Yaba Tech Sports Complex Lagos, with two junior athletes reminding spectators, Nigeria has never been short of track and field talents.
John Caleb in the junior men category was the central of attraction as he notched a sprint double in the 100m and 200m. Also, in the Youth girls’ category Bernice Onoriode won a sprint double leaving athletics officials, organisers and the sponsors thrilled about the outcome of the competition.
Caleb, fresh off his 100m win, secured another title in the Junior men’s 200m with a time of 21.45s. Team MTN’s Ezekiel Asuquo, the 400m champion, placed 2nd in 21.62s, and Eniola Shiro came in 3rd (21.64s).
In the Junior women’s 200m, Hafsoh Bisola set a new Personal Best (PB) of 24.61s to win, just edging out Team MTN’s Lucy Nwankwo who also posted a PB (24.64s). Mariam Jegede of OAU Spartans was 3rd in 25.26s.
Mighty Otunla upgraded from his 100m Bronze to strike GOLD in the Youth Boys’ 200m, followed by Muhammad Jimoh (Silver) and Emmanuel Akolo (Bronze).
Onoriode completed her sprint double, winning the Youth Girls’ 200m to add to her earlier 100m triumph. Rebecca Enilolobo took 2nd, with Goodnews Saturday in 3rd.
In Saturday’s relay finals, Team Continental’s quartet of Thankgod Igube, Emmanuel Ojeli, Chidera Ezeakor, and Favour Ashe sprinted to victory with a time of 40.81s, beating Lagos (41.13s) and Benin Republic (41.96s).
The women’s 4x100m was dominated by Team Continental’s Iyanu Bada, Janet Adesiyan, Temitope Olusesan, and Lucy Nwankwo, clocking 46.49s. Team Tasued and OAU Spartans followed in 2nd and 3rd, respectively.
Earlier in the day Emmanuel Ojeli topped the senior men’s 200m, claiming the title in 21.14s, ahead of Oriyomi Akala (21.80s) and Gafar Audu (21.81s).
In the women’s race, Patience Okon-George stormed to her second title, winning in 24.11s, after her earlier victory in the 400m. Team MTN’s Miracle Uwem Donald took her second Silver (24.63s), with Mary Adediran finishing 3rd (24.65s).
The men’s 400m hurdles saw Olorunwa Olowu surge late to edge past early leader Sodiq Adebisi, with Gbenga Bakre in 3rd. In the women’s race, Daisy Akpofa, Sarah Kadiri, and Oluwadamilola Esther Alli claimed the top three spots.
