Day one of the MTN CHAMPS Athletics Classics in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, delivered thrilling action as the U.J. Esuene Stadium buzzed with competition across the Cadet, Youth, Junior and Senior categories.

A colourful opening ceremony was held to declare the competition open, with several dignitaries in attendance, including the Cross River State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey; the state Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Agnes Atsu; MTN Chief Marketing Officer, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka; Vice President of the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), Emmanuel Ebong; and Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Gabriel Okon, among others.

Miracle Ezechukwu posted the fastest overall time in the Junior Girls’ 100m, clocking 11.67s into a -1.3m/s headwind. Her teammate, Rosemary Chigozie, followed closely with 11.89s in a -2.4m/s headwind, while Team MTN’s Lucy Nwankwo placed third overall with a time of 12.22s.

Ezechukwu’s performance also secured her qualification for the U20 World Championships scheduled to hold in the United States in August.

In the Junior Boys’ 100m, Godwin Oghenerunor led the field with a time of 10.75s, ahead of Liberty Okon (10.97s) and Team MTN’s Alvin Onyeama.

The Youth Girls’ category saw Miracle Festus Okon top the qualifiers in 12.26s, ahead of Glory Bassey (12.41s) and Team MTN’s Rebecca Enilolobo (12.55s).
On the boys’ side, Team MTN’s Emmanuel Akolo dominated his heat in 11.50s to emerge as one to watch.

Otobong Patrick (11.52s) and Nwabueze Kenechukwu (11.99s) followed as the next top qualifiers.

In the men’s 100m heats, Wisdom Alexander set the pace with 10.71s. Team MTN’s Showers Ushie ran 10.83s, while Nkereuwem Ibok (10.85s), Iwara Mathias (10.87s) and Emmanuel Ojeli (10.87s) also won their respective heats.

Ethiopia’s Merdekiyos Wolde Wachiso led the men’s 400m heats with a time of 47.20s. The Ethiopian team arrived with a 10-member delegation consisting of eight athletes and two officials, and they are expected to compete in the men’s and women’s 4x400m, as well as the mixed 4x400m relays.

Team MTN’s Ezekiel Asuquo finished second overall in the heats with 47.59s, while Obashola Olaoluwa placed third with a time of 48.01s.

Team MTN’s Michael Aniche produced a huge personal best (PB) of 49.15s ahead of Mfoniso Bassey (49.36s), while Prosper Ushie won his heat in 49.68s to place third overall in the Junior Boys’ 400m heats.

The competition continues on Friday, March 6, with the finals of the 100m and 400m events among the highlights of the day.