Ezechukwu and Edet complete a sprint double in the MTN CHAMPS continental relays

Miracle Ezechukwu and Fervent Edet delivered outstanding performances, emerging as top athletes who completed double sprints in 100 and 200 meters events at the just concluded MTN CHAMPS continental relays held at the New Jos Stadium.

Ezechukwu of N-Youth Sports completed a double sprint in the junior women’s category winning the 100m in 11.26 seconds and claimed the 200m title with a personal best of 22.91 seconds, successfully defending her crown.

The time places her among Africa’s top athletes this year and marks the first sub-23-second 200m race by a Nigerian at home since 2021.

Her teammate Rosemary Nwankwo finished second in a personal best of 23.17 seconds, while Team MTN’s Lucy Nwankwo placed third in 23.76 seconds, also a career-best performance.

In the junior men’s 200 metres, Team MTN’s Michael Aniche secured victory with a personal best of 21.84 seconds, finishing ahead of his teammate Emmanuel Akolo. Mahamat Sani came third in 22.19 seconds.

Toheebat Jimoh won the women’s 200m title in a personal best of 24.35 seconds, narrowly edging out teammate Miracle Uwem Donald, who finished in 24.36 seconds. Esther Okon was third in 24.63 seconds.

The men’s 200m final produced an upset when Enoch Dabo claimed victory in 21.69 seconds, ahead of Team MTN’s Ezekiel Asuquo (21.78 seconds) and Showers Ushie (21.82 seconds).

In the junior women’s 200 metres, Bernice Onoriode won in 24.79 seconds, finishing ahead of Rebecca Enilolobo of team BPS (24.91 seconds) and Chizoba Onyemauwa of team MTN (26.47 seconds). Onoriode also won the long jump event in the same category.

Team MTN’s Fervent Edet completed a double sprint in the junior men’s category, winning the 200 meters in a personal best of 22.32 seconds, ahead of Joshua Okon and Zikirullah Ibrahim.

In the cadet men’s 200 metres, Praise Babatunde finished first in 26.03 seconds, ahead of Kyspan Bitrus (26.92 seconds) and Hamisu Muhammad (27.27 seconds).

Esther Adebayo won the cadet women’s title in 28.36 seconds, with Salama Hata (28.76 seconds) and Chinaza Okoye (28.83 seconds) finishing second and third respectively.

The relay events concluded the competition. GSS Sabon Tasha won the cadet women’s 4x100m in 57.81 seconds, ahead of Model Learning Zaria (58.35 seconds) and St. John (58.88 seconds).

Sabon Tasha Government also took victory in the junior women’s 4x100m in 52.15 seconds, while GSS Sabon Tasha completed a double in the junior men’s 4x100m, winning in 46.34 seconds.

The junior 4x100m mixed relay closed out the event, with Team MTN dominating the podium as Team MTN A won in 44.64 seconds, followed by Team MTN B (46.17 seconds) and Team MTN C (47.12 seconds).