The MTN CHAMPS Benin Athletics Classics kicked off with a bang, as over 2000 athletes competed at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and the UNIBEN Sports Complex. Day 1 saw numerous athletes achieving season’s and personal bests, showcasing their readiness for the 2025 athletics season.
In the Senior Men’s 400m heats, Benjamin Magaji of Team MTN clocked the fastest time, setting a new lifetime best of 48.23s, while Emmanuel Baraburu (48.27s) and Emmanuel Salubi (48.53s) followed closely, securing the second and third fastest times.
In the junior (U20) Women’s 400m, Miracle Sonny, a former National Youth Games Silver medallist, posted the fastest time with a personal best of 54.92s. Victoria Olaniyi (55.62s) and Success Okoro (55.92s) also set personal bests, finishing second and third overall.
Gafar Badmus ran the fastest time with a season’s best of 47.94s in the Junior Men’s 400m, while David Akhalu (48.22s) and Eniola Shiro (48.30s) followed, with Ezekiel Asuquo of Team MTN finishing fourth overall (48.92s).
In the Youth (U17) Girls’ 400m, Elizabeth Olumide (58.20s), Chizoba Onyemauwa of Team MTN (59.30s), and Agape Elisha (59.63s) were the fastest qualifiers.
For the Youth Boys’ 400m, Emmanuel Chukwueweniwe, Oghenetega Abednigo, and Dominion Udoh were the top qualifiers.
In the Junior Women’s 100m semifinals, Mmesoma Ezeobi led with a time of 11.88s, just ahead of Miracle Ezechukwu (11.89s).
Other qualifiers include 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).
Caleb John dominated with a season’s best of 10.59s in the Junior Men’s 100m semifinals, while Juliand Efejuku and Abdulrahman Jimoh clocked 10.71s, with others joining them in the final.
In the Junior Women’s Long Jump, Adaeze Ezeh, MVP of Seasons 1 & 2, won with a leap of 6.05m.
Jennifer Osemijengie (5.73m) and Franca Ajagbawa (5.59m) took Silver and Bronze.
Day 2 promises more excitement with the 100m and 400m finals across all age categories, as well as the 4x100m heats.