In a championships almost marred by rainfalls, athletes struggled to churn out good performances at the annual CAA Grand Prix held in Sapele, Delta State. Previous editions of the championships have always taken place in Warri, but this year it was merged into the Nigerian Olympic Trials.
Athletes who missed out on Olympic qualification during the trials, sought for a route through the Grand Prix, but the weather conditions didn’t help their case.
Men’s 100m was only competed for by three athletes, with Ogho-Oghene Egwero winning the race in 10.52s and Soyemi Abiola finishing 2nd in 10.63s while Harry Chukwudike 3rd in 10.66s.
Agnes Osazuwa won the women’s 100m, clocking 11.49s with Cecilia Francis 2nd in 11.61s and Khadija Suleman 3rd in 11.69s.
In the men’s 200m, Paul Dedewo got victory having narrowly finished 2nd on Day 2 of the National Trials. Dedewo came out strongly from the curve and there was no catching him as he stormed to a win in 20.89s. Victor Peka was 2nd in 21.38s with Divine Oduduru finishing 3rd in 21.45s
Olivia Ekpone pushed in strongly as she got to the line first crossing in 23.62s to win women’s 200m, while Lawretta Ozor who hung on and almost got the win settled for 2nd in 23.63s. Maria Thompson Omokwe finished 3rd in 23.76s.
Lindsay Weyinme won the women’s 100m Hurdles, running 13.29s and Grace Ayemoba 2nd in 13.77s, while Favour Efe was 3rd in 14.04. In the men’s 110m Hurdles, Abejoye Oyeniyi was 1st in 13.91s, with Martins Ogieriakhi 2nd in 13.92s and Samuel Osadolor 3rd in 13.96s.
There was no men’s 400m, with Rita Ossai winning the women’s category in 53.32s and Funke Ogunbase 2nd in 53.85s, while Ekundayo Sogbesan placed 3rd in 53.99s.
After retaining her national title, Amaka Ogoegbunam went on to also win the event as she sought to her lower time, taking the race in 57.43s. Glory Nathaniel finished 2nd in 59.55s and Sarah Kadiri 3rd in 60.36s.
In the men’s 400m Hurdles, Ikpefan Obokhare got the better of Henry Okorie who narrowly beat him at the National Trials, running 50.08s to win the race. It was a close contest, but Okorie had to settle for 2nd in 50.09s with Timothy Emoghene 3rd in 52.32s.
Aminat Alabi won women’s 800m in 2:13.09, with Linda Friday 2nd in 2:13.17 and Maria Diamond 3rd in 2:13.60. Soudi Hamadajm won men’s 800m in 1:53.03, as Adegoke Ogunseye finished 2nd in 1:53.78 and Daniel Agboola 3rd in 1:55.08
Field Events:
Only five field events were competed for on the day. Precious Okoronkwo was ecstatic after leaping to a Personal Best of 6.25m to win the women’s Long Jump. Cameroon’s Sarah Ngo Ngoa finished 2nd with 6.05m, and Mercy Abire 3rd with a distance of 5.99m.
Having placed 2nd at the Nigerian trials, Felix Obi moved one place up to win the men’s Triple Jump with a mark of 16.10m. Senegal’s Mamaou Gueye finished 2nd with 15.98m.
Samuel Kure Adams won the men’s Javelin, throwing farthest distance of all competitors to win with a mark of 66.32m. Kenechukwu Ezeofor finished 2nd with 64.87m and Friday Osayande 3rd throwing a distance of 64.11m.
Olayinka Awotunde won the men’s Shot Put with a mark of 18.95m, as Isaac Odugbesan placed 2nd with a mark of 16.32m while Augustine Nwoye finished 3rd with 16.05m
In the women’s High Jump, Grace Anigbata took the win after being the first to scale 1.65m and Esther Isa 2nd also clearing the same height but with more attempts.
