Home boys beat Fasuba to 100 m title

Both Metu and Egwero representing Delta State clocked 10.27 seconds to beat foreign-based Fasuba who finished in the third position with 10.35 seconds.

Confusion reigned after the race as Egwero claimed victory before Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) officials later confirmed Metu as the winner.

As reporters rushed to get reactions from Metu and Egwero, disappointed Fasuba vanished from the scene without having a word with the press.

But Metu, who expressed happiness for retaining the title won at last year’s edition of the annual event, said he had been working hard to win the race, knowing very well that it is not always easy for a champion to maintain his or her position.

Metu, who called on the Athletics Federation of Nigeria officials and the National Sports Commission to set early camp to prepare athletes for the World Athletics Championship in Berlin, Germany, assured that he would work hard to better his timing at the world athletics showpiece, adding that Nigerians should expect better performance from him.  

“It is not easy as a champion because how to sustain the position is always the problem, but I am happy I have been able to win today and retain the title won last year.

“I thank everybody and I want to say Nigerians should expect better outing from me at the World Athletics Championship in Berlin. I also want the AFN and NSC to send us to camp early to enable us prepare well for it”, Metu said.

In the women’s 100 metres final also decided yesterday, Blessing Okhagbare dethroned Damola Osayemi, clocking 11.16 seconds as against Osayemi’s 11.39 seconds, while Halimat Ismaila came third with 11.44 and Gloria Kemasode came fourth position in 11.55 seconds.

Also in marathon women final, Dintis Yohanna of Nigeria Police clinched the first position with 1:11:36:74 seconds; Janet Dung of Bauchi came second with 1:26:48:75 seconds while Lydia Michael of Kaduna State was third with 1:27:54:97 seconds. In the men’s marathon, Emmanuel Gyang and Danjuma Gyang of Plateau State as well as Wilson Eku of Bauchi finished first, second and third returning a time of 1:11:36:74 seconds, 1:11:50:80 seconds and 1:12:16:20 seconds respectively.

In the men’s hammer event, Ibrahim Baba of Ondo emerged winner with 55:55, Dauda Omizi was second with 49:85 while Onoyanse Felix of Immigration came third returning a time of 45:94.

Vivian Chukwuemeka of Delta State continued her dominance in the women discus event, wining it with 48.36, while Keke Immaculate and Obubuleye O. Perrt placed and third with 41.90 and 41.52respectively.

The pole vault men was won by John Adigigbi of Edo with 3:70 metres, followed by Michael Agiepo of Nigerian Navy with 3:60 metres while Sunday Ochapa of Benue came third with 3:50 metres; while Mssureen William, Hope Aruya and Stephen Sunday were first, second and third place winners in the women’s  pole vault.

Funke Adeoye, Queen Obisesan and Rashidat Quadri were first, second and third place winners in the women’s hammer throw; while Genevive Njoku, Potkang James and Amadi Ifeanyi emerged first, second and third in the 5000 metres women race.