Metu returns with two A Standards, Oke hits new PB in Calabar - Nigeria Champs Day 2

Obinna Metu reclaimed the Nigerian men's 100m title and Tosin Oke retained his Triple jump crown on Day two of the 66th All-Nigeria (Olympic Trials)/Cross-Rivers State Athletics Championships in Calabar on Wednesday (20).

Eager to prove his doubters wrong, Metu of Prisons Services blasted through the pack to win in 10.11 secs ahead of last year's champion Ogho-Oghene Egwero (Delta) who was second in 10.19 secs.

Delta State's Stanley Azie and Patrick Chinedu Ike finished third and fourth respectively with both timed at 10.32 secs.

"I am speechless, many things have been said about me but I thank God I have proved them wrong today, my training in Jamaica and Atlanta is paying off already" said Metu.

"Though this is my personal best, I believe I can still run nine seconds, I will remain focus and continue to work harder," he added.

Metu came back to the track later in the evening to post another Olympic A standard time of 20.54 seconds to win Semifinal 2 of the men's 200 metres.

National athletics coach, Innocent Egbunike was highly impressed with Metu's victory and attributed it to hard work and focus.

"There are times he would nearly pass out during training sessions but he remained focus and kept working harder. I am not surprised he won here today" Egbunike said.

Commonwealth Games champion Tosin Oke soared to a new personal best and Olympic A Standard mark of 17.23 metres to win the men's Triple Jump. Olajide Abiola settled for the second position with 15.22 metres and George Jones was third with 15.05 metres.

"I am so happy once more, its always a nice feeling competing in Nigeria and today (Wednesday) I feel so good. Well for me is a good sign that London is going to be good".  Oke said.

Seun Adigun, representing Delta, recorded her third successive victory in the women's 100m hurdles with a time 13.13 secs ahead of other Delta athletes Uhunoma Osazuwa (13.16) and Jessica Ohanaja (13.30).

Adigun said after the race: "It wasn't an easy race because you know this is an Olympic year and everybody has been training pretty hard.

"I am so happy I am winning this event the third time in a row , I hope I can also win at the African championship and then focus on the Olympics."

Samuel Okon of the National Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) won the men's 110m hurdles in 13.78 secs with Deinma Afiesiema (Lone Star) second in 14.03 secs and Benjamin Wisdom Utip (NSCDC) third in 14.4 secs.

Selected Results

200m Women Semi-Final 1

1. Lawretta Ozor, Delta, 23.12
2. Christy Udoh, Delta, 23.35
3. Oludamola Osayomi, NSCDC, 24.04
4. Adekunle Jasper, NSCDC, 24.43
5. Yetunde Aboluwade, Ondo, 24.49
6. Fanny Ekanga Apples, Cameroun, 24.57

200m Women Semi-Final 2

1. Peace Uko, NSCDC, 23.37
2. Gloria Asunmu, Delta, 23.53
3. Margaret Benson, Delta, 23.67
4. Egone Kesiena Oliviera, Uniben, 24.45

Triple Jump Men Final

1. Tosin Oke, Delta, 17.23m PB
2. Olajide Abiola, 15.22m
3. George Jones, 15.05m

100m Men Final

1. Obinna Metu, Prison, 10.11 PB
2. Ogho-Oghene Egwero, Delta, 10.19
3. Stanley Azie, Delta, 10.32
4. Chinedu Patrick Ike, Delta, 10.32
5. Seye Ogunlewe, Delta, 10.37
6. Peter Emelieze, Delta, 10.39
7. Fred Agbaje, CDA, 10.43
8. Nicholas Imhoaperamhe, Defender, 10.43

110m Hurdles Men Final

1. Samuel Etim Okon, NSCDC, 13.78
2. Deinma Afiesimama, Lone Star, 14.03
3. Wisdom Benjamin Utip, NSCDC, 14.24
4. Abejoye Oyeniyi, Eagle Sight, 14.51
5. Selim Nurudeen, Unattached, 14.87
6. Thierry Essamba, Cameroun, 15.01

100m Hurdles Women Final

1. Seun Adigun, Delta, 13.13
2. Uhunoma Ozasuwa, Delta, 13.16
3. Jessica Ohanaja, Delta, 13.30
4. Melanie Akwule, Delta, 13.73
5. Joy Davis, CDA, 13.83
6. Grace Ayemoba, ICDO, 14.19
7. Efe Favour, Rivers, 14.43
8. Oghenetijiri Eferebor, Eagle Sight, 14.44

5000m Men Final

1. Ismael Sadjo, Cross River, 14:33.19
2. John Bulus Jah, High Altitude, 14:33.27
3. Danjuma Kopkuddi, Immigration, 14:40.71
4. Tokbe Gwet, Borno, 15:24.77
5. Nomyange Knaghsaaga, Benue, 15:25.57
6. Williams Kefas, Police, 15:40.26
7. Ibrahim Bobo, Bauchi, 15:48.14
8. Zakari Idris, Bauchi, 15:57.55
9. Rotben Zumkudang, High Altitude, 15:58.73

(Additional information by Tunde Eludini)