Records threatened as over 2,000 athletes compete in MTN CHAMPS Grand Final

• Published On: 07 May 2025 at 18:30

The MTN CHAMPS Grand Final began in stunning fashion on Tuesday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, with competitors giving outstanding performances in a variety of categories.

Victor Sampson, the reigning NDDC Sports Festival Champion, was the quickest qualifier in the men's 400m, clocking 46.55 seconds. Johnson Nnamani (47.00 seconds) and Micheal Ighogboja (47.54 seconds) came in second and third place, respectively.

Odot Udo topped the women's 400m, running a Personal Best time of 53.85 seconds. Rhoda Adisa finished second in 54.01 seconds, followed by Rita Munachiso in 54.69 seconds.

Ezekiel Asuquo of Team MTN, fresh from winning gold at MTN CHAMPS, dominated the Junior men's 400m with a time of 48.00 seconds. Chidiebere Obed (49.33s) and Stephen Adejumo (49.57s) rounded out the top three.

Miracle Sonny ran 54.75 seconds to become the fastest qualifier in the Junior Women's 400m. The next best performers were Elizabeth Olumide (54.85 seconds) and Toheebat Jimoh of Team MTN (55.83 seconds).

Onyemech Onoriode came close to breaking the Youth Boys' 100m Championships Record of 11.09s set by Team MTN's Alvin Onyeama in Season 1, finishing in 11.10 seconds. Tunmise Ebimetan (11.34s) and Akolo Emmanuel (11.36s), the team MVPs, followed closely after.

Team MVP topped the Youth Girls' 100m, with three overall fastest times: Enilolobo Rebecca (12.64s), Bernice Onoriode (12.69s), and Promise Egbebe (12.71s).

At the end of Day 1, Delta Secondary School led the Youth women's category with 10 points, followed by Charity School (8 points), Ikot Ibiok Girls (6 points), and West Itam (5 points).

Akwa Ibom finished first in the Junior Mixed category with 20 points, followed by Ikot Ibiok Girls (8 points), St Brains Model College (8 points), and Ikot Okubo Community (6 points).

Cross River won the senior mixed category with 21 points, taking an 11-point advantage over Chosen International. Charity of the Most Precious Blood finished third with 6 points, followed by Nnamdi Azikiwe Secondary School in fourth with 4 points.

The four-day competition, which takes place from May 6 to 9, involves 2,187 athletes from 136 secondary schools and 93 junior and senior teams vying for the Grand Final title.