Ethiopia’s Wachiso claims men’s 400m title as Champions emerge on Day 2 of MTN CHAMPS Calabar

On the second day of action at the MTN CHAMPS Athletics Classics in Calabar, the focus shifted firmly to the finals of several events across the Cadet, Youth, Junior, and Senior categories, with several of them battling for podium places in front of an energetic crowd at the U.J. Esuene Stadium.

In the Senior Men’s 400m, Ethiopia’s Merdekios Wolde Wachiso produced a standout performance, improving his Personal Best (PB) to 46.64s to claim victory. Team MTN’s Ezekiel Asuquo finished 2nd with a Season’s Best (SB) of 47.02s, while Wisdom Alexander secured 3rd place in 47.37s.

Team MTN’s Toheebat Jimoh opened her season in style, winning the Senior Women’s 400m in an SB of 54.73s. Her teammate Miracle Uwem Donald also ran an SB to finish 2nd in 54.78s, while Comfort James placed 3rd in 55.94s, having won the women’s 800m title the previous day.

Team MTN secured a 1–2 finish in the Junior Men’s 400m, with Michael Aniche winning in a new PB of 49.03s, ahead of teammate Prosper Ushie (49.37s). Faithwin Essien finished 3rd in 49.65s.

In the Junior Women’s 400m, Blessing Sekibo recorded a massive PB of 55.23s to win the title by more than a second. Ihuoma Nwaelehia finished 2nd in 56.26s, while Chioma Edeh placed 3rd in 56.50s.

In the Youth Boys’ 400m, Eze Chukwuma Onyema of Oboro Secondary School won in 52.50s, ahead of Riliwan Chukwuebuka Saka of Isioma Onyeobi Asaba (55.19s) and Power Francis of Ritman College (55.45s).

Success Onu of Emotan College cruised to victory in the Youth Girls’ 400m in 56.05s, finishing ahead of Grace and Gold’s Udoh Uwana (57.22s) and Era Girls’ Ezeh Chisom (57.60s).

After already securing qualification for the World U-20 Championships, Miracle Ezechukwu of N-Youth delivered another impressive performance. She stormed to a lifetime best of 11.51s to win the Junior Girls’ 100m semifinal, before extending her strong form in the final to take the title.

Her teammate Chigozie Rosemary Nwankwo also impressed, bursting to a PB of 11.69s in the semifinals to also secure qualification for the World U-20 Championships. She narrowly missed that mark in the final, clocking 11.70s to finish 2nd, while Team MTN’s Lucy Nwankwo placed 3rd in 11.98s.

In the Junior Boys’ 100m, Liberty Okon edged Team MTN’s Alvin Onyeama in a thrilling finish, winning 10.85s to 10.86s, with Gowon Oghenerunor finishing 3rd in 10.90s.

In the Senior Women’s 100m, Precious Okeoghene secured the title in 12.11s, ahead of Inyang Success (12.27s) and Phone Akubo (12.45s).

Triple NUGA champion Matthias Iwara dominated the Senior Men’s 100m, running a PB of 10.57s to take the crown. Nkereuwem Ibok finished 2nd in 10.82s, while Nwachukwu Prince placed 3rd in 11.01s.

Miracle Festus Okon of Eagle International claimed the Youth Girls 100m title in 12.10s. Team BPS’ Rebecca Enilolobo finished 2nd in 12.20s, ahead of Grace & Gold’s Glory Bassey in 12.49s.

In the Youth Boys’ 100m, Team MTN’s Emmanuel Akolo claimed victory in 11.14s, ahead of his teammate Fervent Edet, who ran 11.45s after clocking a PB of 11.43s in the semifinals. Daniel Okwokwo finished 3rd in 12.20s.

In the Cadet Girls’ 100m, Faanss’ Emmanuella Eteng was the clear winner, running a PB of 14.38s ahead of Community School Mbiasno’s Blessing Ufot and God’s Grace International’s Orallahtumara Joe Egbiwai.

The Cadet Boys 100m produced one of the closest finishes of the day. Auntie Margaret Memorial’s Asieta Otu Otu emerged champion via photo finish after he and Community School Mbiasno’s Samuel James both clocked 13.51s, while Mkpouto Eshiet of Herald International finished 3rd.