The curtains fell after an eventful three-day MTN CHAMPS Benin Athletics Classics at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, with the finals of several events such as the 200m, 800m, 4X100m and mixed 4x400m relays bringing the first leg of Season 3 to a climax.
Success Oyibu was one of the standout performers of the final day, roaring to an astounding lifetime best of 23.71s, improving her times from both the heats and semifinals to win the Junior Girls’ 200m title, adding it to her 100m Silver. Perezide Sigah clocked a Personal Best (PB) of 24.24s to place 2nd while Vivian Iyamu ran 24.30s for 3rd place.
It was another PB galore on the men’s side. David Akhalu bettered his lifetime best to a 21.29s to claim the title, finishing ahead of Wilfred Awonusi (21.34s) and Eniola Shiro (21.35s).
The senior ranks weren’t left out of the action as Sophia Efetobore completed the sprint double, winning the 200m crown in the Senior women’s category with a time of 23.72s. Jane Onyeneho took the Silver in 24.58s while Janet Adesiyan had the Bronze in 24.90s.
In the men’s race, Lucky Daje fired through to 21.09s to win the Senior men’s 200m ahead of Emmanuel Ojeli who produced a 21.28s. Augustine Ezuruike grabbed Bronze in 21.53s.
It was a 1-2 for Model Grammar Asaba as Daniel Okwokwo held off David Ekunwe, giving the race his all to win the Boys’ 200m Cadet title in a PB of 25.24s while Ekunwe crossed the line in 25.35s, while Samuel James was 3rd in 25.52s.
Hamid Sambo executed a strong finish to stop the clock at a Season’s Best (SB) of 1:51.64 in the Senior men’s 800m final, the fourth fastest time he has ever run in the event. Adedokun Ayobami got through in 1:52.12 for 2nd position while Temitope Karounwi finished 3rd in 1:52.73.
Rhoda Adisa distanced herself from the pack at the sound of the bell, crossing the finish line in 2:06.21 to win the Senior women’s 800m final. Fatimah Adebayo came in 2nd place in 2:12.05 while Adeyinka Mulero was 3rd in 2:16.55.
In the men’s Junior category, Olaitan Ayomide broke the 2min barrier to win the title in 1:57.89 over Samson Tebowei (1:59.97) and Solomon Okundaye (2:00.16).
Kehinde Olude triumphed in the women’s division, dominating the lineup with a time of 2:17.31 Precious Orogun was a distant 2nd in 2:49.14, ahead of Favour Dio, who placed 3rd in 2:51.17.
Chukwueweniwe Olisa Emmanuel edged out Nwabueze to claim the Youth Boys GOLD in 2:03.37 to 2:03.41. Emmanuel Umeadi came 3rd in 2:05.59.
Elisha Agape struck GOLD in a PB of 2:14.90 ahead of Mary Edeh (2:16.48) and Esohe Ugbo (2:29.88) to win the Girls’ section.
Samuel Osadolor was the fastest over the barriers in the men’s 110m Hurdles, getting to the line in an SB of 14.48s to comfortably win the race. Abdulazeez Abdullahi finished 2nd in 14.96s, while Emeka Jeffrey Nmesirionye was 3rd in the race with a time of 14.99s.
Benin Technical won the Cadet Boys’ 4x100m relay in 51.33 ahead of Government Model (52.47s) and Nicowa (54.16s).
Delta Secondary claimed the Girls’ race in 54.89s while Ado Girls (56.63s) and Divine Success (57.18s) claimed Silver and Bronze respectively.
Eghosa Anglican dominated the Youth Boys’ event, out-dipping Government Model in 45.22s to 45.24s, while Beje High settled for Bronze in 45.99s.
Osadenis High was the winner of the Girls’ category with a time of 48.84s. Vision High finished 2nd in 53.09s as the Lord’s Own International ran 55.28s for 3rd.
HIT won GOLD in the Junior men’s 4x100m Junior race after crossing the line in 41.90s ahead of Global Power (42.14s) and Team MTN (42.19S). The women’s title was won by Global Power in 47.82s. Team MTN was 2nd in 48.29s while Idia College came in far 3rd with a 56.78s.
Bayelsa claimed a sweep in the Senior Men’s and Women’s 4x100m, finishing ahead of Team MTN (41.63s) and TASUED (42.26s) with a time of 41.29s in the men’s event, while TASUED and Manomix grabbed Silver and Bronze respectively in the women’s race.
Global Power took the mixed 4x400m in 3:26.06 to conclude the competition. Bayelsa was 2nd in 3:30.24 while Team MTN placed 3rd in 3:36.01.
