Ethiopia’s Merdekios Wolde Wachiso
By Akanimo Kufre
The second day of the MTN CHAMPS Athletics Classics in Calabar, turned out fierce competition in various events across different categories.
At the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Ethiopia’s Merdekios Wolde Wachiso delivered an outstanding performance in the Senior Men’s 400m, setting a new personal best of 46.64s to claim victory.
Ezekiel Asuquo of Team MTN secured second place with a season’s best of 47.02s, while Wisdom Alexander took third place with a time of 47.37s.
In the Senior Women’s 400m, Toheebat Jimoh of Team MTN won with a season’s best of 54.73s, followed closely by her teammate Miracle Uwem Donald with a time of 54.78s, and Comfort James placing third in 55.94s.
The competition also saw Team MTN dominate the Junior Men’s 400m with a 1-2 finish, as Michael Aniche won with a new personal best of 49.03s, ahead of teammate Prosper Ushie with a time of 49.37s. Faithwin Essien secured third place in 49.65s. Blessing Sekibo excelled in the Junior Women’s 400m, recording a personal best of 55.23s to win the title. In the Youth Boys’ 400m, Eze Chukwuma Onyema of Oboro Secondary School took the top spot with a time of 52.50s.
Success Onu of Emotan College won the Youth Girls’ 400m in 56.05s. Miracle Ezechukwu of N-Youth delivered impressive performances, winning the Junior Girls’ 100m title and securing qualification for the World U-20 Championships.
In the Junior Boys’ 100m, Liberty Okon edged out Team MTN’s Alvin Onyeama with a narrow victory of 10.85s to 10.86s. Precious Okeoghene claimed the Senior Women’s 100m title in 12.11s, while Matthias Iwara dominated the Senior Men’s 100m with a personal best of 10.57s.
The competition continued with Miracle Festus Okon of Eagle International winning the Youth Girls’ 100m title in 12.10s and Team MTN’s Emmanuel Akolo claiming victory in the Youth Boys’ 100m in 11.14s.
Faanss’ Emmanuella Eteng won the Cadet Girls’ 100m with a personal best of 14.38s, and Auntie Margaret Memorial’s Asieta Otu Otu emerged champion in the Cadet Boys’ 100m via photo finish.
