The halfway mark (Day 3) of the Athletics competition at the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, witnessed less array of events compared to the first two days, with the men’s 400m semifinals being the major highlight.
Gafar Badmus (Ogun) stormed to a massive Personal Best (PB) of 45.65s to dominate the men’s 400m semifinals ahead of Victor Sampson (Akwa Ibom) who also clocked a PB of 45.99s, and Rivers’ Emmanuel Ojeli (46.05s). The reigning champion, Samson Nathaniel produced a solid 46.34s to win his semifinal heat while David Akhalu won the first semifinal in 46.85s.
Badmus’s time of 45.65s is the fastest time recorded at the National Sports Festival since Chidi Okezie’s 45.60s at the Benin edition in 2021.
The women’s side saw the defending champion Patience Okon-George (Cross River) take full charge of the semis, clocking a Seasons Best (SB) of 52.20s. The Edo-state duo of Anita Enaruna (54.13s) and Victoria Olaniyi (54.17s) won their respective semis.
Sarah Kadiri (Ogun) won the women’s 400m hurdles title over Ayomide Joseph (Rivers) and Chidinma Mary Innocent (Delta).
In a blanket finish, Sodiq Adebisi (Oyo) out-dipped Oseiwe Sala (Edo) to snatch the men’s 400m hurdles crown. Akwa Ibom’s Ndiponke Okure was 3rd.
In the heats of the 4x100m, Team Delta led the women’s division, running the only sub-45 in the competition in 44.58s. Team Rivers was the sole quartet to run under 40s, clocking 39.86s to be the fastest qualifiers in the men’s category.
Stephen Joshua Daylop (Delta) grabbed the GOLD in the men’s 3000m steeplechase over James Gyang (Plateau) and Augustine Chimaobi (Imo).
