Day 2 of the MTN CHAMPS Track and Field Athletics Championship delivered a showcase of exceptional young talent and thrilling athletic performances, as events continued across the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and the University of Benin Sports Complex.
Among the standout athletes of the day was Ezinne Johan Ozioko, who dominated the Women’s U-20 4kg Shot Put event. Ozioko clinched gold in both the Junior and Senior categories, cementing her reputation as one of the most promising athletes in the competition.
In the Men’s Shot Put event, Bosa David Kosisochukwu took gold, while Success Okeleke and Abraham Efetobore rounded off the podium with silver and bronze, respectively. The women’s senior category saw Ruqqayah Femi Mustapha and Edesiri Akpobaro earn silver and bronze, while Favour Ineh and Susan Christopher placed second and third in the junior division.
The day also witnessed a personal best performance from Gowon Oghenerunor, who leapt 7.20m to win gold in the Men’s U-20 Long Jump. He was closely followed by Anthony Lucky and Blessed Oghale. In the Men’s Senior Triple Jump final, Omoh-Ohimia Erhayanmen captured gold, with Olaoluwa Akindunbi of Area Academy taking both silver and bronze in a unique double effort.
Sprint events were just as exhilarating, with Magaji Benjamin securing gold in the 400m Senior Boys race and Miracle Uwem Donald winning the 400m Senior Girls final. In its second day, the MTN CHAMPS Championship not only broke personal and national records, but also reinforced its mission of talent discovery and youth empowerment through sport.According to Adebambo Akani, Chief Executive Officer, Making of Champions (MoC), “The competition is on track to award more than 300 medals across 90 track and field events. With MTN CHAMPS on board, the future of Nigerian athletics is bright.”Osaze Ebueku, Senior Manager, Go-To-Market at MTN Nigeria, emphasized the championship’s impact on talent pipeline development. “We’re already seeing the fruits of our investment in grassroots athletics. As we move into the finals, we expect new records to be set—this is where real breakthroughs happen.” The championship is expected to attract scouts, coaches, and stakeholders from across the country. With growing momentum and standout performances, MTN CHAMPS is quickly becoming a beacon of hope for the next generation of Nigerian track and field athletes.