The MTN CHAMPS Benin Athletics Classics on Thursday bought off to an electrifying begin as over 2,000 athletes competed throughout two venues—the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and the UNIBEN Sports activities Advanced.
On the opening day of the competitors, athletes delivered exceptional performances, setting new season and private bests as they signaled their readiness for the 2025 athletics season.
Crew MTN’s Benjamin Magaji stole the highlight within the senior males’s 400m heats, clocking a private better of 48.23 seconds to safe the quickest general time forward of the semi-finals and remaining.
Magaji, who was found at MTN CHAMPS Jos in Season 2, displayed wonderful race ways to take care of his lead and end first in his warmth. Emmanuel Baraburu (48.27s) and Emmanuel Salubi (48.53s) posted the second and third quickest occasions throughout all heats.
Within the junior (U20) ladies’s 400m, former Nationwide Youth Video games silver medalist Miracle Sonny made a triumphant return to MTN CHAMPS, recording a private better of 54.92s to win Warmth 3 and end with the quickest time general.
Victoria Olaniyi additionally impressed, profitable Warmth 2 in a private better of 55.62s to safe the second-fastest time, whereas Success Okoro emerged third general after clocking 55.92s to win Warmth 5.
The junior males’s 400m noticed an impressive efficiency from Gafar Badmus, who ran a season’s better of 47.94s to win Warmth 6 and document the quickest general time.
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He was carefully adopted by David Akhalu, who took Warmth 1 in 48.22s, whereas Eniola Shiro clocked 48.30s to win Warmth 7 and safe the third-best time. Crew MTN’s Ezekiel Asuquo completed fourth general with a time of 48.92s.
Within the youth (U17) women’ 400m class, Elizabeth Olumide (58.20s), Crew MTN’s Chizoba Onyemauwa (59.30s), and Agape Elisha (59.63s) had been the quickest qualifiers for the semi-finals. The youth boys’ 400m noticed sturdy performances from Emmanuel Chukwueweniwe, Oghenetega Abednigo, and Dominion Udoh, who emerged as the highest qualifiers.
The junior ladies’s 100m semi-finals had been extremely aggressive, with Mmesoma Ezeobi posting the quickest time of 11.88s, edging previous Miracle Ezechukwu by simply 0.01s. Different athletes who certified for the ultimate embrace Cynthia Chioma (11.89s), Success Oyibu (11.91s), Perezide Sigah (12.00s), Chinonso Odika (12.00s), Chigozie Nwankwo (12.09s), and Lucy Nwankwo (12.23s).
Within the junior males’s 100m semi-finals, Caleb John dominated with a season’s better of 10.59s, ending forward of Juliand Efejuku and Abdulrahman Jimoh, who each clocked 10.71s.
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Additionally advancing to the ultimate are Reward Shiny (10.75s), David Osuya (10.82s), Joachim Uyovwiyoma (10.82s), Clifford Igbigbidje (10.89s), and Wilfred Awonusi (10.90s).
The lengthy soar occasion noticed one other standout efficiency as MTN CHAMPS Season 1 & 2 MVP, Adaeze Ezeh, leaped a formidable 6.05m to assert victory within the junior ladies’s class.
Jennifer Osemijengie secured silver with a soar of 5.73m, whereas Franca Ajagbawa earned bronze with a mark of 5.59m.
The motion continues on Day 2 of the competitors, which runs from 13 to fifteen March , with the 100m and 400m finals throughout all 4 age classes set to be among the many main highlights.
The 4x100m relay heats may even take middle stage because the athletes look to construct on their spectacular opening-day performances.
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