Israel Okon Sunday and Olayinka Olajide were the stars of day One in the men’s and women’s 100m at the MTN CHAMPS/AFN National Trials Asaba.
Olayinka and Israel are the new National Champions after crossing the finishing line ahead of their counterparts in the men’s and women’s 100m event.
Delta State Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Agbateyiniro Weyinmi Isaac, who represented the Executive Governor of the state, Hon. (Chief) Sheriff F. O. Oborevwori, declared the event open.
Okon Sunday and Olayinka Olajide: King and Queen Of The National Trials
Consider Ekanem had led the standings after storming to an impressive 10.16s in the men’s event, the fastest time across the three semifinals. Sunday had pushed as hard as he could for the finish line and was hugely rewarded with a big Personal Best (PB) of 10.26s to win his semifinal race, while former National Champion Enoch Adegoke won the third semis with 10.30s.
Unfortunately, Ekanem was disqualified in the final for a false start, throwing the race wide open. Sunday seized his chance and raced to another PB of 10.20s to take the title. Nicholas Adekalu Fakorede finished 2nd in that race, crossing the line in 10.26s, with Adegoke coming in 3rd in 10.30s.
In the women’s event, Blessing Ogundiran clocked the fastest time overall in the heats with 11.33s to win Heat 3. The time is marginally off her PB of 11.32s.
In the semis, Olayinka Olajide upped the stakes, posting a new PB of 11.32s and extended her dominance to the final, running the fastest time by a Nigerian woman this year, to take the women’s 100m title at the MTN CHAMPS/AFN National Trials with a new PB of 11.19s, a massive improvement from the 11.37s she ran last month in Lagos with Ogundiran crossing the line in 2nd.
MTN CHAMPS/AFN National Trials: Hurdles Provide New Talents To Watchout For
Similarly, Faith Osamuyi was the woman to beat in the 100m hurdles, where she upstaged her more experienced rivals. She showed what was to come when she claimed a big scalp in the semis, holding off the late charge from Stella Ayanleke, who chased her down to the finish line to record a new PB of 13.60s. Consequently, Faith further lowered the time to 13.48s to win the final.
Furthermore, Hamid Sambo joined the PB rain as he set a new lifetime best of 3:50.75 to win the men’s 1500m.
Meanwhile, in the first event of the day, Danjuma Jan of High Altitude Club in Jos, Plateau state won the men’s 10,000m, with a time of 32:38.95.
Patience OKon Still Waxing Stronger In The 400m
Veteran Patience Okon-George put up a good showing in the women’s 400m, racing to a Season’s Best of 52.06s to top qualifications into the women’s 400m final.
She is the favourite to win the event ahead of the final on Day 2 of the MTN CHAMPS/AFN National Trials. The trials will serve as Team Nigeria’s selection for next month’s African Games in Accra, Ghana.
In Other events for Day 2, the 200m (Senior), 400m Hurdles (Juniors & Seniors), 100m semis and final (Cadet & Youth), High Jump (Senior), 3000m Steeplechase (Senior), Long Jump (Junior) are on offer.