By Akanimo Kufre
The inaugural day of the MTN CHAMPS Athletics Classics in Calabar, Cross River State capital, delivered exhilarating performances as athletes competed fiercely across various categories at the U.J. Esuene Stadium.
A vibrant opening ceremony was held on Thursday March 5, 2026 with several dignitaries, including Cross River Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey; Cross River State Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Agnes Atsu; MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka; NSSF Vice President Emmanuel Ebong, and Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Gabriel Okon, among others.
In the Junior Girls’ 100m, Miracle Ezechukwu topped the charts with a remarkable time of 11.67 seconds, running into a -1.3m/s headwind. Her teammate Rosemary Chigozie followed closely in 11.89 seconds with a -2.4m/s headwind, while Lucy Nwankwo of Team MTN secured third place with a time of 12.22 seconds. Notably, Ezechukwu’s performance earned her qualification for the U20 World Championships scheduled for the US in August.
Godwin Oghenerunor led the Junior Boys’ 100m with a time of 10.75 seconds, ahead of Liberty Okon and Alvin Onyeama of Team MTN, who clocked 10.97 seconds and an unspecified time for third place, respectively. Miracle Festus Okon excelled in the Youth Girls’ category with a time of 12.26 seconds, surpassing Glory Bassey and Rebecca Enilolobo of Team MTN who recorded 12.41 seconds and 12.55 seconds, respectively.
In the Boys’ section, Emmanuel Akolo of Team MTN dominated his heat with a time of 11.50 seconds. Otobong Patrick and Nwabueze Kenechukwu followed with times of 11.52 seconds and 11.99 seconds. Wisdom Alexander set the pace in the men’s 100m heats with a time of 10.71 seconds, while Showers Ushie of Team MTN ran 10.83 seconds, and Nkereuwem Ibok and Iwara Mathias both achieved times of 10.85 seconds and 10.87 seconds, respectively.
In the men’s 400m heats, Ethiopia’s Merdekiyos Wolde Wachiso led with a time of 47.20 seconds. Ezekiel Asuquo of Team MTN finished second overall with 47.59 seconds, while Obashola Olaoluwa took third place with a time of 48.01 seconds.
Michael Aniche of Team MTN produced a significant Personal Best of 49.15 seconds in the Junior Boys’ 400m heats, ahead of Mfoniso Bassey and Prosper Ushie who recorded times of 49.36 seconds and 49.68 seconds. The competition will resume on Friday, March 6th, with the finals of the 100m and 400m events set to be decided, among others.
