Wachiso Storms to 400m PB and Glory at MTN CHAMPS Calabar
Ethiopian star climbs African Rankings with PB run as Team MTN sweep titles
Ethiopia’s Merdekios Wolde Wachiso stole the spotlight on Day 2 of the MTN CHAMPS Athletics Classics in Calabar, storming to victory in the men’s 400m with a new personal best of 46.64s.
His time not only secured the gold but also elevated him to second place on the African outdoor list for 2026, behind South Africa’s Stiaan Myburgh. Team MTN’s Ezekiel Asuquo followed with a season’s best of 47.02s, while Wisdom Alexander claimed third in 47.37s.
Team MTN Dominance
The women’s 400m saw Toheebat Jimoh open her season with a commanding win in 54.73s, edging teammate Miracle Uwem Donald by just 0.05s. Comfort James, fresh from her 800m triumph, finished third.
Team MTN also swept the junior men’s 400m, with Michael Aniche setting a personal best of 49.03s ahead of Prosper Ushie.
Blessing Sekibo delivered one of the day’s standout runs, winning the junior women’s 400m in 55.23s, more than a second clear of her rivals.
In the youth categories, Eze Chukwuma Onyema and Success Onu claimed victories in the boys’ and girls’ 400m respectively, while Miracle Ezechukwu lit up the junior girls’ 100m with a lifetime best of 11.51s, securing her World U-20 Championships qualification.
The men’s 100m was dominated by triple NUGA champion Matthias Iwara, who clocked a personal best of 10.57s. Liberty Okon edged Alvin Onyeama in a thrilling junior boys’ 100m finish, while Precious Okeoghene took the senior women’s crown.
Youth and cadet races produced equally dramatic moments, including a photo finish in the cadet boys’ 100m where Asieta Otu Otu emerged champion.
