Day One of the 2025 Nigerian Athletics Championships, being held at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex in Lagos, was a thrilling start, with multiple Personal and Season’s Bests being set across various events to make a strong statement on the opening day of competition.
Returning to the track where he once trained before relocating to the US, Kayinsola Ajayi easily clocked 10.07s (+3.0) to win Heat 1 of the men’s 100m ahead of Oriyomi Akala.
His Auburn teammate Israel Okon responded with an impressive Personal Best (PB) of 10.03s (1.2) in Heat 2 and was followed by Joachim Uyovwiyoma who set a new PB of 10.43s for 2nd as Gafar Audu booked his spot in the semifinals with a time of 10.46s, finishing 3rd in the race.
Nicholas Adekalu Fakorede made sure he wasn’t left out of the action during the 10.0s bonanza, racing to a new lifetime best of 10.06s (+1.9) in Heat 3 to take the win and book his place in the semis. Thankgod Igube finished 2nd in 10.44s.
Enoch Adegoke was inspired to a new Season’s Best (SB) of 10.12s (+1.2) to win his heat, beating Chidera Nzeakor, who set a PB of 10.25s, to claim 2nd and secure a spot in the semifinals.
In Heat 5, Alaba Akintola made his mark by winning in 10.08s (+2.1), beating Timileyin Olanrewaju, who ran 10.29s to secure 2nd place and a spot in the semis. Olaolu Olatunde showed that his 10.13s run in Abeokuta last month was no fluke, matching his PB to win Heat 6 in 10.13s (+1.3), finishing ahead of Precious Oluyemi, who came 2nd in 10.48s.
Three-time National Champion Seye Ogunlewe ran a strong 10.18s (+0.4) in Heat 7, edging out National Sports Festival 200m Champion Lucky Daje while John Caleb made his mark with a big PB of 10.21s (2.0) in Heat 9.
In the women’s category, Olayinka Olajide clocked the overall fastest time of 11.37s to dominate Heat 2, outpacing Iyanuoluwa Bada, who finished second. Prestina Ochonogor won Heat 1 in 11.47s (2.0), with Precious Nzeakor coming 2nd in 11.60s as Favour Odiyeye placed 3rd in 11.66s.
Immaculate Daniel, making her return to Nigeria after almost two years abroad, won Heat 3 in 11.60s as African U20 champion Chioma Cynthia Nweke ran the fastest time in Heat 4, clocking 11.48s (+2.2), while Success Oyibu settled for 2nd.
In the women’s 100m Heat 5, Maria Thompson led with a time of 11.50s (+3.4), with Perezide Sigah following in 11.61s. In Heat 6, Tejiri Ugoh stole the show with a lifetime best of 11.50s (+1.8) to win ahead of Ejiro Palmer.
Victor Sampson booked his spot in the semifinals of the men’s 400m, winning Heat 1 in 47.29s. Team MTN’s pair of Ezekiel Asuquo and Benjamin Magaji also secured their semifinal places in Heat 2, with Magaji winning in 47.89s. In Heat 3, Gafari Badmus ran 45.91s to lead the overall standings in the men’s 400m heats.
Patience Okon-George demonstrated her readiness to claim a sixth individual title by clocking 51.92s in Heat 2, the fastest time across the heats. Team MTN’s Toheebat Jimoh finished 2nd in 53.68s, securing her spot in the final.
Fresh from her exploits at the African U20 Championships, Favour Onyah won heat 1 in 53.17s, finishing ahead of Anita Enaruna (53.67s) and Success Okoro (53.86s). Opeyemi Oke went out hard in Heat 3 and got to the line first, winning in a time of 53.48s as Miracle Uwem grabbed the second automatic spot into the final with a time of 54.33s.
In the men’s 110m Hurdles, Musa Great Wisdom clocked 14:22s to win Heat 1 ahead of Obi Uchechukwu Felix (14.59s) and Ihwiwhu Ogenekowhu John. Onwaeze Nnamdi led Heat 2 with a time of 14.18s, which was the fastest time across the event. Abdulazeez Abdullahi Olawale and Samuel Osadolor Samuel were 2nd and 3rd, respectively.
In the women’s 800m, Comfort James stormed to victory in 2:06.60, capturing her fourth national title in the event, beating Ramat Jimoh, who took 2nd place.
In the women’s Discus, African Record holder Chioma Onyekwere-Lyons successfully defended her title with a throw of 60.74m, securing her third national crown in the event. African Games champion Obiageri Amaechi finished 2nd with 59.39m, while Ruqqayah Kemi Mustapha claimed 3rd with 40.95m.
Sade Olatoye successfully defended her national Hammer throw title with a throw of 67.50m, showcasing her strength and consistency. Rashidat Quadri threw an SB of 46.72m for 2nd as Feyisayo Daramola claimed 3rd with a distance of 45.22m.
In the men’s long jump, Charles Godfred claimed his second consecutive national title with a leap of 7.95m, while Ibukun Daramola earned Silver with 7.56m, and Tobechukwu Emmanuel Nwokocha the Bronze with a jump of 7.54m.
Honourable Clement, fresh off his GOLD medal at the CAA African U20 Championships, claimed his first senior High jump title with a leap of 2.05m at the championships, while Francess Ajagbawa won the women’s Triple jump title.
