It was an outing to remember for Joy Udo-Gabriel and Peter Edwin who represented Making of Champions (MoC) in the grand finale of the AFN Golden League meet held in Akure on Monday, running new Personal Bests (PB) in the events they competed in.
The eye-catching performance came from Udo-Gabriel who stormed to victory in the women’s 100m B final, going under 12s for the first time in her career as she clocked 11.87s for her win. Udo-Gabriel beat Blessing Adiakerehwa who was 2nd in 11.89s, and Blessing Ogundiran 3rd in 11.96s.
It was a remarkable feat for the 17-year old who only made her Golden League debut last week, running a then PB of 12.06s in Sagamu, and was even the last qualifier for the event. However, the turn-around has been spectacular as she significantly lowered that time, out-running the field to power to victory in a race not many expected her to win.
Just like his training partner Udo-Gabriel, Edwin also made his Golden League bow in Sagamu, running a then PB of 10.75s, which booked him a place in the Akure final. Initially listed for the B final, Peter was moved to the A final in Akure after officials realized that his time was better than one of the finalists on that startlist.
Edwin further improved on that PB and finished 6th clocking 10.68s in the race. Divine Oduduru won the race also with a PB of 10.29s, and Ogho-Oghene Egwero 2nd in 10.34s as Emmanuel Arowolo finished 3rd in a PB of 10.48s.
He also competed in the men’s 200m and finished 7th with a new PB of 21.83s, improving from his previous mark of 21.85s. Oduduru won the race in 20.53s, with Arowolo 2nd in 21.01s and Joof Alieu 3rd in 21.35s.
At the start of the competition, MoC for the first time had athletes who participated in some of the meets held in: Abuja, Sapele, Sagamu and the final in Akure, fielding a total of four athletes across these cities.
This gives testament to the work MoC Head coach in Lagos, Deji Aliu has been able to do with these athletes within a short period, fueling optimism of better things to come in the near future.
