Metu secures sprint double; Odumosu, Osayomi, Abugan and Gbagbeke shine as Nigeria/Mobil trials end

Submitted by Yomi Omogbeja on 28 June 2010 - 7:51am

Nigeria's fastest man, Obinna Metu won the men's 200 metres to complete his sprint double (won the 100m earlier in 10.25 secs on Friday) on the last day of the 21st Nigeria/NNPC/Mobil Track and Field Championships at the U.J.Esuene Stadium in Calabar on Saturday.

Metu took the race in 21.17 secs ahead of the pair of Deji Musa (21.22 secs) and Peter Emelieze (21.45 secs).

Damola Osayomi overcame the disappointment of losing the 100 metres to Blessing Okagbare to take the 200 metres in 23.66 secs. Endurance Abinuwa settled for the second place in 23.88 secs and Nkiruka Uwakwe was third in 24.44 secs with Halimat Ismaila fourth in 24.75 secs.

Shade Abugan won a thrilling women's 400 metres in 51.92 secs ahead of AFN Golden League sensation Margaret Etim - second in 52.11 secs and Bukola Abogunloko - third in 52.63 secs. Ajoke Odumosu was fourth in 52.74 secs and Chizoba Okodogbe ended fifth in 53.56 secs.

Noah Akwu won the men's 400 metres in 46.03 secs ahead of Saul Weigopwa (46.57 secs) and Godday  James (46.60 secs)

Ajoke Odumosu won the women's 400m Hurdles in 56.04 secs with Steve Fikah taking the men's version in a slow 52.47 secs.

Stanley Gbagbeke leapt 8.04 metres to capture the gold in the men’s long jump event. And former Nigeria star Charlton Ehizuelen won the veteran men's Long Jump event in 5.02 metres.

History book

Meanwhile, Obinna Metu has stated that his victory in the 100 metres was not smoothened by the absence of two-time champion, Olusoji Fasuba due to injury.

Metu's finish was 0.02 seconds better than his season's best of 10.27secs achieved last month in Rehlingen.

"It's absolutely untrue that I would not have won this competition if Fasugba had taken part," said Metu.

"Fasugba was a worthy champion in 2006 and 2007. I believe he did well but this is my time to shine and nobody can stop me," he added.

Metu's 100 metres win on Friday, took him into the Championships history books as the first man to win the title for three successive years (2008, 2009 and 2010).

See Day 3 Results below: