Nigeria’s CAA U-18/U-20 Championships trials ends today in Shagamu
The trials to select members of Team Nigeria to the forthcoming CAA U-18/U-20 Championships in Abeokuta, Ogun State, which started on Monday in Shagamu ends today.
One of the highlights on Day 1 of the trials came from the Boys’ U-18 100m race where Destiny Egbon took his own destiny in his hands, winning in a time of 11.9s (-4.1) ahead of Adeniyi Adeola who clocked 11.26s
Ajibare Ibrahim completed the podium in 11.33s.
Miracle Oluebube Ezechukwu won the girls’ 100m title in 12.00s (-2.7). Rosemary Nwankwo finished second in a time of 12.11s, while Perezide Sigah came clocked 12.25s to finish third.
In the U-20 girls’ 100m Cynthia Chioma Nweke reigned supreme, finishing ahead of the field in a time of 11.77s (-2.9). Success Oyibu secured the second spot in 12.00s, and Lucy Nwankwo was third in 12.13s.
John Caleb, the overwhelming favourite for the 100m Junior title, lived up to the pre-race hype as he coasted home with the title in a time of 10.75s (-3.6).
Mayowa Saliu finished second clocking 10.96s, while Oluwatobi Malik completed the top three in a time of 10.98s.
Bearing any unforeseen circumstances, Jecinta Lawrence will be leading Team Nigeria’s 400m girls contingent in the U-18 event.
Lawrence, had an impressive performance in the final with a new personal best of 55.42s.
The U-20 diadem in the girls 400m race went to Toheebat Adebisi Jimoh with her inspiring outing. Jimoh
ran a new Personal Best of 54.04s.
In the Boys’ U-20, 110m hurdles, Christian Dickson did everything right including his timely dipping to beat Oseiwe Salami.
Dickson had a new Personal Best of 14.46s (-2.8) to win the race.
Emerald Makua a social science SS2 student of Government Model College in Asaba, won the Girls’ Shot Put, throwing a distance of 13.60m to top the podium.
Coach Lekan Soetan who was recently elected as a board member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), was very elated with the performances of the athletes, stating that these athletes have the potential to rule the continent.
“Our greatest challenge will be coming from Egypt, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire and Botswana in the throws, sprint and quarter miles while the Kenyans, Ugandans and Ethiopians have the long distance race.”
He explained that Team Nigeria is not about numbers but race winners and future stars; ”We are comfortable with about 90 athletes projection and we will work for an excellent outing in Abeokuta,” Coach Lekan Soetan added.
