Ethiopia’s Merdekios Wachiso delivered a standout performance to win the men’s 400 metres on Day 2 of the MTN CHAMPS Athletics Classics in Calabar, underlining the growing international dimension of the competition.
Competing at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Wachiso improved his personal best to 46.64 seconds to claim victory ahead of Nigeria’s Ezekiel Asuquo of Team MTN, who finished second with a season’s best of 47.02s, while Wisdom Alexander placed third in 47.37s.
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The race headlined a busy day of finals across the Cadet, Youth, Junior and Senior categories, with athletes battling for podium places before an energetic crowd in the Cross River State capital.
In the Senior Women’s 400m, Team MTN’s Toheebat Jimoh began her season on a strong note, winning the event with a season’s best of 54.73s. Her teammate Miracle Uwem Donald also posted a season’s best of 54.78s to finish second, while Comfort James placed third in 55.94s, a day after winning the women’s 800m title.
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Team MTN dominated the Junior Men’s 400m, securing a one-two finish as Michael Aniche ran a personal best of 49.03s to win ahead of Prosper Ushie (49.37s). Faithwin Essien finished third in 49.65s.
In the Junior Women’s 400m final, Blessing Sekibo recorded a massive personal best of 55.23s to claim the title by more than a second. Ihuoma Nwaelehia finished second in 56.26s, while Chioma Edeh came third in 56.50s.
The Youth Boys’ 400m saw Eze Chukwuma Onyema of Oboro Secondary School win in 52.50s, ahead of Riliwan Chukwuebuka Saka of Isioma Onyeobi Asaba (55.19s) and Power Francis of Ritman College (55.45s).
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Success Onu of Emotan College dominated the Youth Girls’ 400m, crossing the line in 56.05s to finish ahead of Grace and Gold’s Udoh Uwana (57.22s) and Era Girls’ Ezeh Chisom (57.60s).
In the sprint events, athletes also delivered several notable performances.
Miracle Ezechukwu of N-Youth, who had earlier secured qualification for the World Under-20 Championships, continued her impressive form by running a lifetime best of 11.51s in the Junior Girls’ 100m semifinal before returning to win the final.
Her teammate Chigozie Rosemary Nwankwo also impressed, recording a personal best of 11.69s in the semifinals to secure qualification for the World U-20 Championships.
She finished second in the final with 11.70s, while Team MTN’s Lucy Nwankwo placed third in 11.98s.
The Junior Boys’ 100m final produced one of the closest finishes of the day, with Liberty Okon edging Team MTN’s Alvin Onyeama by one-hundredth of a second, 10.85s to 10.86s, while Gowon Oghenerunor finished third in 10.90s.
In the Senior Women’s 100m, Precious Okeoghene claimed the title in 12.11s, ahead of Inyang Success (12.27s) and Phone Akubo (12.45s).
Triple NUGA champion Matthias Iwara dominated the Senior Men’s 100m, running a personal best of 10.57s to secure victory. Nkereuwem Ibok finished second in 10.82s, while Nwachukwu Prince placed third in 11.01s.
Among the youth sprinters, Miracle Festus Okon of Eagle International won the Youth Girls’ 100m in 12.10s, ahead of Team BPS’ Rebecca Enilolobo (12.20s) and Grace & Gold’s Glory Bassey (12.49s).
READ ALSO: Ezechukwu hits World U20 qualifying mark at MTN CHAMPS Calabar
Team MTN’s Emmanuel Akolo won the Youth Boys’ 100m in 11.14s, finishing ahead of teammate Fervent Edet (11.45s) and Daniel Okwokwo (12.20s).
In the Cadet Girls’ 100m, Faanss’ Emmanuella Eteng ran a personal best of 14.38s to win comfortably ahead of Blessing Ufot of Community School Mbiasno and God’s Grace International’s Orallahtumara Joe Egbiwai.
The Cadet Boys’ 100m produced one of the tightest finishes of the competition, with Asieta Otu Otu of Auntie Margaret Memorial declared winner via photo finish after he and Community School Mbiasno’s Samuel James both clocked 13.51s, while Mkpouto Eshiet of Herald International finished third.
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