Israel Okon became the new National Champion on Saturday after dusting aside seven other contestants to win the men’s 100 meters race at the 2025 National Athletics Trials held at the tartan track of the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.
Defending champion, Kanyinsola Ajayi, was absent after failing to take part in the semis due to a slight knock.
The trials is preparatory to selecting a team for the World Championship in Tokyo, Japan.
Okon, popularly called “Alika” breast the tape in a time of 10.04secs, closely followed by Alaba Akintola, who placed second in a time of 10.05secs, while Fakorede Nicolas came in third in 10.07secs.
The fourth olace went to Seye Ogunlewe in 10.09sec, Olaolu Olatunde was fifth with 10.15, James Taiwo Emmanuel was sixth in 10.16, Enoch Adegoke ran 10.20 to place seventh, while Igube ThankGod placed 8th.
Speaking after the race, Okon said he was happy to win his second title albeit first 100m after winning the 200m at the last National Trials in Benin, Edo State.
According to him, he is looking forward to the World Championship in Tokyo later in the year.
“I’m very happy right now to be the national champion,” he said.
“In Tokyo, anything can happen, anything is possible. Everything is possible here.
“I’m putting my faith in my Coach, Coach Ken, I am ready to go for whatever he asks me to do ahead of the world championship.”
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