MTN CHAMPS: Stars of the Track Illuminate Continental Relays Day 1
On day one of the MTN CHAMPS Continental Relays, remarkable achievements were showcased throughout different categories with outstanding times recorded in the 100m and 400m races held at both the Yaba College of Technology and University of Lagos sports complexes in Lagos, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
The inaugural day featured several new personal bests, including a remarkable performance from two-time Olympian Emmanuel Ojeli, who shattered his three-year-old record in the men’s 100m semifinals with a time of 10.24 seconds. Emmanuel Babalola came in second far behind him at 10.55 seconds, followed by Ganiu Hassan placing third in 10.63 seconds.
Straight off his achievements at the Niger Delta Sports Festival, Favour Ashe excelled in his heat, clocking an impressive 10.14 seconds aided by favorable winds, leaving ThankGod Igube behind with a mark of 10.23 seconds. Meanwhile, in a separate semi-final event, Chidera Ezeakor claimed first place with a timing of 10.43 seconds, surpassing Oriyomi Akala who finished with a time of 10.56 seconds.
In the women’s 100 meters race, Iyanu Bada showcased remarkable performance, bettering her previous best of 11.48 seconds from the preliminaries to finish the semis with an outstanding time of 11.38 seconds. Janet Adesiyan and Favour Odiyeye concluded the heat with respective timings of 11.88 seconds and 11.97 seconds.
John Caleb maintained his impressive performance in the men’s 100m semifinals within the junior category, surpassing his previous record by clocking an impressive 10.38 seconds, thus securing the highest qualifying time in his group. Following closely behind was Qudus Akintoye with a time of 10.59 seconds, and Abdulrahman Jimoh completed the top three finishes with a mark of 10.61 seconds.
Team MTN's Lucy Nwankwo dominated the junior women's 100m competition, setting the quickest time among all semifinal heats with a personal record of 12.07 seconds. Her fellow Team MTN member, Azeezat Muhammed-Raji, claimed the second-fastest overall time by winning her race in 12.20 seconds. Rounding out the top three was Ojone Akubo-Adegbe, who finished third with a time of 12.47 seconds.
The 400-meter races likewise showcased impressive displays, where Samson Nathaniel claimed the top spot among male competitors as the quickest qualifier following his seasonal record of 46.20 seconds. Benjamin Magaji secured the second positionOverall with a timing of 48.28 seconds.
Patience Okon George, who has competed twice at the Olympics, showed promising form as she returned for the current season by clocking 53.19 seconds in the women's 400 meters event. Meanwhile, Miracle Donald-Uwem achieved a new personal record of 54.59 seconds to secure victory in her heat and earn the second-quickest time among all competitors.
The Continental Relays carry on today with competitions concluding in both solo events and team relays, where competitors strive to win medals and accumulate points for their schools and squads.
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