The final day of the Nigerian Athletics Championships at the Yabatech Sports Complex saw new champions crowned in several events, while others fought to retain their titles.
Women’s 100m Hurdles World Record (WR) holder Tobi Amusan claimed the victory in her specialist event as she crossed the line in a time of 12.57s to secure her fifth National title, finishing ahead of Adaobi Tabugbo who fought hard and clocked 13.03s for 2nd. In contrast, Faith Osamuyi finished 3rd in 13.36s.
Amusan had posted the overall fastest time of 11.30s (+1.2) in the women’s 100m semis but eventually withdrew from the final.
Chioma Cynthia Nweke emerged champion in the women’s 100m final, clocking a time of 11.27s to win the race ahead of Olayinka Olajide, who ran 11.39s. Iyanuoluwa Bada was 3rd in 11.45s.
In the men’s 200m, reigning African Games 400m champion Chidi Okezie powered through to claim the national title with a new Personal Best (PB) of 20.62s as Gafaru Audu finished in 2nd place with a time of 20.80s, while Edwin Kwabla Gadayi placed 3rd with a time of 20.85s.
In the women’s 200m final, Precious Nzeakor clinched the title with a time of 23.53s and was followed by Tejiri Ugoh (23.91s) and Perezide Sigah (23.98s).
New champions emerged in the men’s and women’s 400m. After racing as a part of Team Nigeria A in the men’s 4x400m relay, Gafar Badmus took to the track and proved too strong for the rest of the field, returning a time of 45.71s to claim his first national title and exert his revenge over Ezekiel Asuquo who settled for 2nd in 46.29s. David Akhalu snatched the Bronze in 46.91s.
Favour Onyah extended her winning streak from the African U18 and U20 Championships to dominate the women’s 400m final, clocking 52.69s as Opeyemi Deborah Oke and Anita Enaruna placed 2nd and 3rd respectively with 53.67s and 53.91s.
Oseiwe Salami, Ndiponke Okure and Nsikak Francis were the Top 3 finishers in the men’s 400m Hurdles while Chidinma Mary Innocent dominated the women’s event, with Sarah Kadiri, and Feyishara Edun following.
Prestina Ochonogor secured her second consecutive national crown in the women’s long jump with her best leap of 6.52m, reaffirming her status as one of Nigeria’s top long jump talents. Jarret Glory claimed Silver with a 6.00m jump, while Ajoke Akinsanya Ismaila secured the Bronze medal.
Samuel Kure was the man to beat in the Javelin as his best throw of 76.79m, his Season’s Best (SB), saw him claim a fourth National title. Babatunde Isaac and Bamidele Oluwatobiloba Steven finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.
In the men’s 4x100m International Relay, Team Nigeria A consisting of Chidera Ezeakor, James Taiwo Emmanuel, Precious Oluyemi and Olaolu Olatunde passed the baton around in a time of 40.08s to finish ahead of Team Nigeria B (40.64s) and Team Ghana (41.09s).
The men’s 4x400m event saw Samuel Ogazi, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Gafar Badmus and Chidi Okezie attempt to qualify for the World Championships but fell short with their time of 3:03.66 despite crossing the line 1st. Team Ghana (#:09.70) and Team Nigeria C (3:16.36) settled for 2nd and 3rd respectively.
