Onoriode and Edet Clinch Sprint Doubles at Thrilling MTN CHAMPS Grand Finale
Athletics enthusiasts in Ibadan were treated to a spectacular display of emerging talent at the MTN CHAMPS grand finale, held over the weekend at Lekan Salami Stadium. The event evoked memories of Nigeria's golden era in track and field, with young stars delivering standout performances that promise a bright future for the sport.
Youth Categories Shine with Record-Breaking Runs
In the Youth (U-17) Girls' 100m final, Bernice Onoriode stole the show by storming to a new Personal Best (PB) of 11.88 seconds, aided by a wind reading of 0.3. Demonstrating remarkable consistency, she achieved PBs in all three rounds of the competition. Onoriode finished ahead of Rebecca Enilolobo from Team Beacon Power Services, who matched her PB of 12.07 seconds for Silver, while Rodia Ibrahim secured Bronze with a time of 12.16 seconds.
Fervent Edet of Team MTN powered to victory in the Youth Boys' 100m final, clocking 11.10 seconds with a wind of 0.1. Earlier in the heats, he had dipped under 11 seconds, setting a lifetime best of 10.99 seconds. Maleeq Odesanya placed second in 11.20 seconds, closely followed by Boluwatife Alagbon in 11.25 seconds.
Cadet and Junior Events Highlight Depth of Talent
The Cadet Boys' 100m saw Jesudemilade Ojo emerge as champion with a time of 12.48 seconds, ahead of Opeyemi Faleye (12.87 seconds) and Owoeye Oluwatomiwa (13.13 seconds). In the Cadet Girls' 100m, Chigozie Faith Ndokwu sprinted to victory in 13.01 seconds, finishing before Risikatt Kehinde Baruwa (13.23 seconds) and Ikmot Adegbite (13.45 seconds).
Ndokwu later completed an impressive sprint double by winning the 200m in 26.58 seconds, with Baruwa (27.08 seconds) and Adebayo Adeola (27.17 seconds) rounding out the podium. Similarly, Ojo secured a sprint sweep, claiming the Youth Boys' 200m title in 25.18 seconds ahead of Timileyin Awoye (26.20 seconds) and Miracle Adediran (26.32 seconds).
Onoriode and Edet Seal Dominant Doubles
Bernice Onoriode capped off a dominant outing by clinching the Youth Girls' 200m crown in 24.44 seconds, finishing ahead of Glory Asuquo (25.25 seconds) and Racheal Afuape (25.52 seconds) to complete her double. Fervent Edet matched this feat in the boys' category, securing his second gold medal of the meet in the 200m with a winning time of 22.45 seconds. Christian Rotimi Alfred (23.05 seconds) and Kareem Ayatullahi (23.26 seconds) finished second and third, respectively.
Junior and Senior Races Add International Flair
In the Junior (U-20) women's 200m final, Chigozie Rosemary Nwankwo clocked 23.48 seconds with a wind of -1.1 to take the title, holding off a strong challenge from Faith Chukwuma, who posted a PB of 23.53 seconds. Tejiri Ugoh finished third in 23.67 seconds.
Ghana's Kazali Iddrisu claimed the men's 200m title in 21.28 seconds, ahead of Liberty Okon (21.56 seconds) and Abdul-Rahman Adewale Jimoh (21.74 seconds). His compatriot Marizuk Shaibu impressed with victory in the senior men's race, clocking 20.97 seconds. In the women's 200m, Taofikat Sulaimon took top honours in 24.06 seconds, with Omoyeni Lydia Ajayi-Bibilomo and Purpose Excellence Akinpelu both recording identical times of 24.67 seconds to finish second and third, respectively.
Middle-Distance Events Showcase Competitive Spirit
Sidiqut Taiwo Baruwa claimed victory in the Cadet Girls' 400m, crossing the line in 1:00.34 ahead of Helen Anisere (1:01.21) and Deborah Aderemi (1:03.02). Team MVP's Chisom Ezeh delivered a commanding performance in the Youth Girls' 400m, running a PB of 56.87 seconds to win comfortably, with Faith John (58.01 seconds) and Bright Ifechukwu Linus (58.65 seconds) completing the podium.
In the Youth Boys' 400m, Afeez Lasisi ran a huge lifetime best of 51.05 seconds to take the title, narrowly edging Team MVP's Zikirullah Ibrahim, who also posted a PB of 51.20 seconds. Abdulmuhiz Abefen finished third in 51.32 seconds.
The women's 800m title went to reigning national champion and MTN CHAMPS Calabar winner, Comfort James, who crossed the line in 2:05.58. She held off Benin Republic's Odette Sawekoua (2:06.62), while Fatimah Adebayo secured Bronze in 2:11.13. Ayomide Olaitan clinched the men's 800m title in 1:52.63, finishing ahead of Adegoke Ogunseye (1:54.44) and Karounwi Temitope (1:56.40).
The exciting finale brought an end to another successful edition of the MTN CHAMPS series, with young athletes once again showcasing Nigeria's depth of talent and bright future in track and field. The event not only highlighted individual achievements but also reinforced the country's potential to dominate global athletics in the coming years.
