The climax of Day 4 of the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, saw fireworks in the men’s and women’s 400m finals, creating a thrilling and exciting atmosphere for the spectators.

Patience Okon-George (Cross River) retained her 400m title by smashing the Festival Record in a massive 51.62s, her fastest time since 2018. She was in a league of her own as her closest rival, Happy Rasheed (Rivers) finished more than two seconds behind in 53.95s. Miracle Uwem (Lagos) placed 3rd in 54.20s.

Just like the semifinals, the men’s 400m final proved to be a showstopper! Every quartermiler in the lineup had a statement to make and it indeed lived up to expectations. Two-time Olympian Emmanuel Ojeli (Rivers), who hasn’t run any 400m race prior to the festival this season, brought down the stadium to win the competition in a Personal Best (PB) of 45.61s.

The impressive Gafar Badmus (Ogun), who posted the fastest time in the heats and semis, which also doubled as PBs, clocked another PB of 45.62s just 0.01 short of the top spot on the podium.

Victor Sampson of Akwa Ibom sneaked into the podium by claiming Bronze in a PB of 45.80s, denying the defending champion Samson Nathaniel (Ogun) who returned an SB of 45.88s to place 4th.

James Gyang (Plateau) upgraded his Silver in the 3000m steeplechase to a GOLD in the men’s 1500m final, upsetting heavy favourite Hamid Sambo (Edo). Augustine Chimaobi (Imo) replicated his Bronze from the steeplechase event.

Sophia Efetobore (Baylesa) dashed to the fastest time overall in the women’s 200m semis, recording a 23.40s ahead of Delta duo, Cynthia Chioma Nweke (23.53s) and Excel Ogbodu (24.15s).

The men’s category had Bayelsa’s Lucky Daje as the quickest qualifier with a time of 21.14s ahead of Ogun duo, Abdusalam Gafar (21.15s) and John Caleb (21.33s).

Delta’s Great Musa clocked the swiftest time in the heats of the men’s 110m hurdles followed by Samuel Osadolor (Edo) and Jeffrey Emeka (Rivers).

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Gregory Airende is an enthusiastic Sportswriter and Analyst who has an in-depth knowledge of various sports like Athletics, Football, Basketball, and Gymnastics. His work experience include being a content writer at The Athletic Heat, to a Football Analyst at Sportskeeda and now a Junior Sportswriter at Making of Champions.

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