The MTN CHAMPS Benin Athletics Classics kicked off in style at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and the UNIBEN Sports Complex, with over 2,000 athletes competing for glory.
The opening day saw several personal and season’s bests as athletes signaled their intent for the 2025 season.
Team MTN’s Benjamin Magaji delivered the standout performance in the senior men’s 400m heats, setting a new personal best of 48.23s to finish as the fastest qualifier. Magaji, who first made his mark at MTN CHAMPS Jos in Season 2, held off competition to secure victory in his heat. Emmanuel Baraburu (48.27s) and Emmanuel Salubi (48.53s) posted the second and third fastest times overall.
Former National Youth Games silver medalist Miracle Sonny impressed in the junior (U20) women’s 400m, clocking a personal best of 54.92s to win Heat 3. Victoria Olaniyi followed closely with another PB of 55.62s to take the second-fastest time overall, while Success Okoro won Heat 5 in 55.92s to round out the top three qualifiers.
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Gafar Badmus stormed to a season’s best of 47.94s to dominate the junior men’s 400m heats, leading the qualifiers into the next round. David Akhalu (48.22s) and Eniola Shiro (48.30s) also impressed, while Team MTN’s Ezekiel Asuquo finished fourth overall with 48.92s.
Mmesoma Ezeobi was the fastest qualifier in the junior women’s 100m semifinals, crossing the line in 11.88s, just ahead of Miracle Ezechukwu (11.89s). Caleb John dominated the junior men’s category with a season’s best of 10.59s, followed by Juliand Efejuku and Abdulrahman Jimoh, who both ran 10.71s.
MTN CHAMPS Season 1 & 2 MVP Adaeze Ezeh continued her dominance, leaping 6.05m to win the junior women’s long jump. Jennifer Osemijengie (5.73m) and Franca Ajagbawa (5.59m) took silver and bronze, respectively.
Day 2 promises more thrilling action, with the 100m and 400m finals across all categories and the 4x100m heats set to take center stage. The competition runs until March 15.
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