The MTN Champs Continental Relays Lagos came to an exhilarating conclusion on Saturday, marking the end of four days of intense competition at the Yabatech and Unilag Sports Complexes. Among the standout athletes were John Caleb, Bernice Onoriode, and Abdulaleem Abdulsalam, who each claimed multiple titles during the grand finale, solidifying their dominance across various sprint events.
The day’s action was highlighted by the men’s 4x100m relay, where Team Continental’s quartet—Thankgod Igube, Emmanuel Ojeli, Chidera Ezeakor, and Favour Ashe—powered through to victory with a time of 40.81 seconds, edging out Lagos (41.13s) and Benin Republic (41.96s). The women’s 4x100m relay was equally captivating, with Team Continental’s Iyanu Bada, Janet Adesiyan, Temitope Olusesan, and Lucy Nwankwo dominating the race in 46.49 seconds, finishing ahead of Team Tasued and OAU Spartans who secured second and third places respectively.
John Caleb continued his impressive form from the 100m, adding a gold in the Junior Men’s 200m with a time of 21.45 seconds. Ezekiel Asuquo of Team MTN, who had already claimed the 400m title, took the silver with a time of 21.62 seconds, while Eniola Shiro secured third in 21.64 seconds.
Bernice Onoriode also completed a remarkable sprint double in the Youth Girls’ category, clinching the gold in the 200m after her earlier 100m victory. Rebecca Enilolobo took the silver, while Goodnews Saturday finished with the bronze.
Abdulaleem Abdulsalam exhibited his sprinting prowess by winning both the Cadet Boys’ 100m and 200m titles. After clocking a personal best of 12.19 seconds to win the 100m, Abdulsalam followed up with another personal best of 24.73 seconds to take the 200m, finishing ahead of Samuel Adegbuyi and Selim Bilaminu, who claimed the second and third spots respectively.
In the senior men’s 200m, Emmanuel Ojeli emerged as the victor in 21.14 seconds, besting Oriyomi Akala (21.80s) and Gafar Audu (21.81s). The women’s 200m race saw Patience Okon-George secure her second gold of the competition, following her earlier triumph in the 400m, with a winning time of 24.11 seconds. Team MTN’s Miracle Uwem Donald claimed the silver in 24.63 seconds, while Mary Adediran finished third in 24.65 seconds.
Hafsoh Bisola set a new personal best of 24.61 seconds to win the Junior Women’s 200m, narrowly defeating Team MTN’s Lucy Nwankwo, who also posted a personal best of 24.64 seconds. Mariam Jegede of OAU Spartans rounded off the top three with a time of 25.26 seconds.
Mighty Otunla moved up from his 100m bronze to take gold in the Youth Boys’ 200m, with Muhammad Jimoh and Emmanuel Akolo finishing in second and third positions respectively.
The Cadet Girls’ 200m saw Abigael Ogunbowale claim victory with a time of 27.32 seconds, ahead of Stephanie Obiekwe (28.16s) and Tomilola Ogbamola (28.19s).
In the men’s 800m, Hamid Sambo edged out Olaitan Ayomide for the gold, clocking 1:51.70, while Ayomide finished with a time of 1:52.42. Adedokun Ayobami secured third with 1:54.51. The women’s 800m race saw Adeyinka Bamtefa-Mulero return from a break to set a season’s best of 2:08.90, claiming the gold ahead of Fatimah Adebayo (2:11.27) and Temitope Olusesan (2:18.24).
In the 400m events, Ibrahim Ahmed dominated the Youth Boys’ race, finishing ahead of Hassan Olawepo and Ajayi Olubusuyi. Meanwhile, in the Youth Girls’ 400m, Team MTN’s Chizoba Onyemauwa ran a personal best of 58.40 seconds to take the victory, with Victory Aganya (58.80s PB) and Mfon Udoh following in second and third.
The competition culminated in a thrilling 400m hurdles showdown, where Olorunwa Olowu surged late to clinch the gold, overtaking early leader Sodiq Adebisi. Gbenga Bakre finished third. In the women’s race, Daisy Akpofa, Sarah Kadiri, and Oluwadamilola Esther Alli claimed the top three positions.
The MTN Champs Continental Relays Lagos wrapped up with outstanding performances across all categories, showcasing the future stars of Nigerian athletics while highlighting the nation’s rich sprinting talent.
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