The U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar has once again proven to be a fertile ground for Nigerian track talent.
On the opening day of the MTN CHAMPS Athletics Classics, junior sensation Miracle Ezechukwu stole the headlines by hitting the automatic qualifying standard for the 2026 World U20 Athletics Championships, set to hold in the USA this August.
Ezechukwu’s performance was nothing short of dominant. Despite running into a stiff -1.3m/s headwind, she clocked a blistering 11.49s in the Junior Girls’ 100m heats—the fastest time across all female categories.
Her teammate, Rosemary Chigozie, followed in 11.89s, overcoming an even harsher -2.4m/s headwind.
Day 1: Key Performance Highlights
The competition, which features over 1,000 athletes from 121 schools and teams, saw high-octane action across four categories: Cadet (U14), Youth (U17), Junior (U20), and Senior.
- Men’s 100m Heats: Wisdom Alexander set the benchmark for the seniors with a time of 10.71s, closely trailed by Team MTN’s Showers Ushie (10.83s) and national standout Emmanuel Ojeli (10.87s).
- The Ethiopian Threat: In a show of international flair, Merdekiyos Wolde Wachiso led the 400m heats with a commanding 47.20s. Ethiopia has sent a 10-man delegation specifically to challenge Nigeria’s dominance in the relays.
- Rising Stars: Godwin Oghenerunor (Junior Boys, 10.75s) and Miracle Festus Okon (Youth Girls, 12.26s) established themselves as the favorites for today’s finals.
- Personal Bests: Team MTN’s Michael Aniche shattered his previous record in the Junior Boys’ 400m, clocking a massive PB of 49.15s.
Today’s Schedule: Friday, March 6
As the competition enters Day 2, the focus shifts from qualification to podium finishes.
Declaring the event open, the Cross River State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, said the state is committed to being the “Athletics Capital of Nigeria.”
MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, reiterated that the goal of the CHAMPS circuit is to build a pipeline of “high-value young athletes” capable of winning Olympic medals.
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