Champions emerge as MTN Champs Lagos ends
John Caleb, Bernice Onoriode and Abdulaleem Abdulsalam were among the standout performers who claimed multiple titles on the final day of the MTN CHAMPS Continental Relays Lagos, which concluded on Saturday after four days of thrilling competition at the Yabatech and Unilag Sports Complexes.
The grand finale featured spectacular relay action, with Team Continental’s quartet of Thankgod Igube, Emmanuel Ojeli, Chidera Ezeakor, and Favour Ashe sprinting to victory in the men’s 4x100m relay with a time of 40.81s, ahead of Lagos (41.13s) and Benin Republic (41.96s).
In the women’s 4x100m, Team Continental’s Iyanu Bada, Janet Adesiyan, Temitope Olusesan, and Lucy Nwankwo dominated the race, clocking 46.49s to finish ahead of Team Tasued and OAU Spartans who took second and third positions respectively.
Fresh from his earlier 100m triumph, Caleb secured another gold medal in the Junior men’s 200m, stopping the clock at 21.45s. Team MTN’s Ezekiel Asuquo, who had previously claimed the 400m title, took silver in 21.62s, while Eniola Shiro finished third with 21.64s.
Onoriode completed an impressive sprint double in the Youth Girls’ category, adding the 200m gold to her earlier 100m success. Rebecca Enilolobo claimed the silver medal, with Goodnews Saturday taking bronze.
Abdulsalam demonstrated his dominance in the Cadet Boys’ division by winning both sprint events. After claiming the 100m title with a personal best of 12.19s, he secured the 200m gold with another personal best of 24.73s, ahead of Samuel Adegbuyi and Selim Bilaminu who completed the podium.
In the senior men’s 200m, Emmanuel Ojeli claimed victory in 21.14s, finishing ahead of Oriyomi Akala (21.80s) and Gafar Audu (21.81s). The women’s race saw Patience Okon-George storm to her second gold medal of the competition, winning in 24.11s following her earlier triumph in the 400m. Team MTN’s Miracle Uwem Donald secured silver with 24.63s, while Mary Adediran took bronze in 24.65s.
Hafsoh Bisola set a new personal best of 24.61s to win the Junior women’s 200m, narrowly edging out Team MTN’s Lucy Nwankwo who also posted a personal best time of 24.64s. Mariam Jegede of OAU Spartans finished third in 25.26s.
Mighty Otunla upgraded from his 100m bronze to strike gold in the Youth Boys’ 200m, with Muhammad Jimoh and Emmanuel Akolo taking silver and bronze respectively.
In the Cadet Girls’ 200m, Abigael Ogunbowale emerged victorious with 27.32s, ahead of Stephanie Obiekwe (28.16s) and Tomilola Ogbamola (28.19s).
The men’s 800m saw Hamid Sambo hold off a strong challenge from Olaitan Ayomide to win in 1:51.70, with Adedokun Ayobami finishing third in 1:54.51. Returning from a break, Adeyinka Bamtefa-Mulero clocked a season’s best of 2:08.90 to win the senior women’s 800m, ahead of Fatimah Adebayo (2:11.27) and Temitope Olusesan (2:18.24).
Ibrahim Ahmed dominated the Youth Boys’ 400m, winning comfortably ahead of Hassan Olawepo and Ajayi Olubusuyi, while in the Youth Girls’ 400m, Team MTN’s Chizoba Onyemauwa ran a personal best of 58.40s for victory, followed by Victory Aganya (58.80s PB) and Mfon Udoh.
The competition concluded with Olorunwa Olowu surging late to edge past early leader Sodiq Adebisi in the men’s 400m hurdles, with Gbenga Bakre taking third. In the women’s race, Daisy Akpofa, Sarah Kadiri, and Oluwadamilola Esther Alli claimed the top three spots.
