Top Athletes Dazzle at MTN CHAMPS Grand Final in Ibadan.
By Oluwaseyi Oduneye-Ogunwomoju
The MTN CHAMPS Grand Final on Thursday delivered a series of thrilling performances, with multiple finals decided and medals won across track and field events at the Lekan Salami Stadium.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the Senior Men’s 400m, Team MTN’s Ezekiel Asuquo stormed to victory in 46.60 seconds. He finished ahead of Benin Republic’s Jules Waiga, who clocked 47.23 seconds, while Wisdom Alexander placed third in 47.51 seconds.
Asuquo told NAN that his victory was a product of hard work and thorough preparation.
“It was not an easy race, but I give God the glory. I worked hard for this win and I am happy to have achieved my goal,” he said.
In the Senior Women’s 400m, his teammate, Miracle Donald, also impressed, posting a Personal Best of 54.07 seconds to clinch gold. Joy Ayomide (54.61s) and Adepoju Adedoyin (54.84s) finished second and third, respectively.
The Junior Men’s 400m produced one of the closest races of the day, as David Udoh edged Ghana’s Kazali Iddrisu to retain the title for Nigeria.
Udoh clocked a lifetime best of 46.62 seconds, narrowly beating Iddrisu’s 46.68 seconds, while Tosin Esan came third in 47.30 seconds.
In the Junior Women’s 400m, Treasure Okereke claimed gold in 53.30 seconds, ahead of Becky Ebiyade (53.89s) and Faith Ezechukwu (54.04s).
Attention also shifted to the 200m heats and semifinals. Ghana’s Marizuk Shaibu emerged as the fastest qualifier in the Senior Men’s category, posting 21.05 seconds, followed by Osama Chibueze (21.14s) and Enoch Adegoke (21.20s).
Taofikat Sulaimon led the Senior Women’s semifinals with a time of 24.40 seconds, narrowly ahead of Purpose Akinpelu (24.43s) and Ofure Johnbull (24.78s).
In the Junior Men’s 200m, Kazali Iddrisu returned to the track to post the fastest semifinal time of 21.30 seconds. He was followed by Liberty Okon (PB 21.51s) and Paul Otagba (PB 21.55s).
Chigozie Rosemary Nwankwo topped the Junior Women’s semifinals with 23.53 seconds, edging Tejiri Ugoh (23.58s) and Mariam Jegede (23.74s).
In the field events, African bronze medallist Samuel Kure impressed in the men’s javelin, throwing 79.39m—just shy of his personal best—to secure victory ahead of Prosper Eguakun and Oluwatobiloba Bamidele.
Meanwhile, Gowon Oghenerunor clinched gold in the Junior Men’s long jump with a leap of 7.22m, while Olaoluwa Akindunbi and Mekioniso Messiah settled for silver and bronze, respectively.