The MTN Champs Benin Athletics Classics kicked off with over 2,000 athletes. Key highlights included Benjamin Magaji’s top performance in the senior men’s 400m, Miracle Sonny’s record in the junior women’s 400m, and Adaeze Ezeh’s win in the long jump. Day 2 promises further excitement with finals and heats to be contested until March 15th.
The MTN Champs Benin Athletics Classics commenced on Thursday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and UNIBEN Sports Complex, showcasing the talents of over 2,000 athletes representing various schools, teams, and states. Key performers on Day 1 included Team MTN’s Benjamin Magaji and former National Youth Games silver medallist Miracle Sonny, highlighting the event’s competitive spirit as athletes set personal bests in anticipation of the upcoming 2025 athletics season.
Benjamin Magaji, a notable talent from MTN CHAMPS Jos, recorded the fastest time in the senior men’s 400m heats with an impressive 48.23 seconds, securing his position for the subsequent semi-finals and finals. Following closely were Emmanuel Baraburu and Emmanuel Salubi, who clocked times of 48.27 and 48.53 seconds, respectively, indicating a strong showing in this category.
Miracle Sonny, the Season 1 MVP, returned to competitive action by achieving the fastest time in the junior (U20) women’s 400m at 54.92 seconds, while Victoria Olaniyi and Success Okoro also secured their spots with personal bests of 55.62 seconds and 55.92 seconds, respectively. The race highlighted the emerging talent among young female athletes in the event.
In the junior men’s 400m, Gafar Badmus triumphed with a season’s best of 47.94 seconds, leading his heat and demonstrating his readiness for the final. David Akhalu and Eniola Shiro followed, emphasizing a competitive field in the male category. Notable performances were also seen in the youth (U17) categories, with several athletes qualifying for the semi-finals.
Mmesoma Ezeobi emerged as a strong contender in the junior women’s 100m semi-finals, posting a leading time of 11.88 seconds. She was followed closely by other promising athletes, including Miracle Ezechukwu and Cynthia Chioma, showcasing the depth of talent within the junior divisions. Caleb John dominated the men’s semis, recording a season’s best of 10.59 seconds.
In the junior women’s long jump, Adaeze Ezeh, the Season 1 & 2 MVP, captured first place with a leap of 6.05 meters, securing her standing in a competitive event. The upcoming Day 2 promises exciting finals in the 100m and 400m races across all four age categories, alongside the heats of the 4x100m relay, continuing until March 15th.
The opening day of the MTN Champs Benin Athletics Classics illuminated the abilities of numerous young athletes. Key performances were delivered by Benjamin Magaji in the senior men’s 400m and Miracle Sonny in the junior women’s 400m, while promising talents in junior categories showcased remarkable potential. The event sets the stage for continued competition, culminating in exciting finals on Day 2.
Original Source: punchng.com
