MTN CHAMPS Grand Final Opens in Uyo with Thrilling Performances

     The MTN CHAMPS Grand Final began in grand style on Tuesday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, as athletes from across the country delivered outstanding performances in a variety of events.

    In the men’s 400m heats, Victor Sampson, the reigning NDDC Sports Festival Champion, stormed to the fastest qualifying time of 46.55 seconds. He was followed closely by Johnson Nnamani, who clocked 47.00 seconds, and Michael Ighogboja, who finished third in 47.54 seconds.

    The women’s 400m saw Odot Udo dominate the field, posting the only sub-54 second performance with a new personal best of 53.85 seconds. Rhoda Adisa also set a lifetime best of 54.01 seconds to place second, while Rita Munachiso came in third with a time of 54.69 seconds.

    In the Junior men’s 400m category, Team MTN’s Ezekiel Asuquo continued his winning form, clocking the fastest time of 48.00 seconds. Chidiebere Obed (49.33s) and Stephen Adejumo (49.57s) rounded out the top three.

    Miracle Sonny led the Junior women’s 400m qualifiers with a time of 54.75 seconds, narrowly ahead of Elizabeth Olumide (54.85s) and Team MTN’s Toheebat Jimoh (55.83s).

    In the Youth Boys’ 100m, Onyemech Onoriode came within a whisker of breaking the championship record of 11.09s set by Team MTN’s Alvin Onyeama, clocking 11.10s. Team MVP’s Tunmise Ebimetan (11.34s) and Akolo Emmanuel (11.36s) followed closely.

    Team MVP also dominated the Youth Girls’ 100m, with Enilolobo Rebecca (12.64s), Bernice Onoriode (12.69s), and Promise Egbebe (12.71s) recording the top three times.

    At the end of Day 1, Delta Secondary School led the Youth Women’s standings with 10 points. Charity School followed with 8 points, Ikot Ibiok Girls earned 6 points, and West Itam had 5 points.

    In the Junior Mixed category, Akwa Ibom surged ahead with 20 points, well ahead of Ikot Ibiok Girls and St Brains Model College, both with 8 points, and Ikot Okubo Community with 6 points.

    Cross River dominated the Senior Mixed category with 21 points, holding an 11-point lead over Chosen International (10 points). Charity of the Most Precious Blood and Nnamdi Azikiwe Secondary School followed with 6 and 4 points, respectively.

    The four-day championship, running from May 6 to 9, features 2,187 athletes representing 136 secondary schools and 93 junior and senior teams, all vying for top honours in Uyo