Thrills at the New Jos Stadium as UNICAL’s Mathias and TASUED’s Olanrewaju Shine Bright at 27th NUGA Games
UNICAL’s Mathias Iwara crowned fastest man, TASUED’s Kehinde Olanrewaju dominates women’s 100m as athletics deliver explosive Day 1 and 2 highlights in Plateau State
The New Jos Stadium was a cauldron of excitement on Tuesday as the Track and Field events of the ongoing 27th Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) Games officially got underway. Students, coaches, and fans thronged the arena to witness the nation’s best campus athletes battle for glory, pride, and personal milestones.
From the thunder of the sprints to the stamina of the long-distance races, every lane told a story of determination and rising potential.
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Mathias Iwara Emerges the Fastest Man in Jos
University of Calabar’s sprint sensation Iwara Mathias stole the spotlight in the men’s 100 metres, producing a breathtaking performance to claim the coveted title of fastest man at the 27th NUGA Games.
Iwara clocked a Personal Best (PB) of 10.60 seconds, fending off stiff competition from Adebayo Japhet of FUTA who ran 10.74 seconds, and Umechukwu Julius of Benson Idahosa University, who finished third with 10.84 seconds.
His composure out of the blocks and power through the final metres earned him roaring applause from spectators, marking him as one of the breakout stars of this year’s Games.
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Kehinde Olanrewaju Sprints to Gold in Women’s 100m
In the women’s 100 metres, Kehinde Olanrewaju of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) confirmed her dominance with a commanding victory, stopping the clock at 11.81 seconds.
Taofikat Sulaimon of Federal University Oye-Ekiti took the Silver medal with 12.42 seconds, while Favour Olise completed the podium in 12.49 seconds.
Olanrewaju’s win reflected not just her pace but her poise, as she surged past the field with remarkable ease—a display that underlined the growing competitiveness of female athletics across Nigerian universities.
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400m Finals Deliver Intense Drama
Day 2 of the athletics programme brought more medal moments and tighter finishes.
In the men’s 400 metres, Egbunu Pere Victory of Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA) stormed home in 48.75 seconds to claim the Gold medal, edging UNIJOS’ Mark Dimas (49.56 seconds) and UNIUYO’s Bassey Melvin Stanley (49.88 seconds) in a closely contested race.
The women’s 400 metres was no less thrilling, as Christabel Chioma Offor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) powered through to victory in 57.24 seconds, followed by Success Owei of TASUED (57.95 seconds) and UNICAL’s Uwana Udoh (58.49 seconds).
Plateau State University Dominates the 5000m
Endurance took the spotlight in the women’s 5000 metres, where home advantage seemed to inspire Plateau State University’s Kerem Aershimana, who claimed Gold in a courageous run.
Her teammate Malgit Cynthia Ayuba followed closely to secure Silver, giving Plateau a memorable 1-2 finish before a delighted home crowd. OAU’s Olayinka Esther Oluwafikunayo showed grit to clinch Bronze and complete the podium.
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A Showcase of Emerging Talent
With several days of competition still to come, the early performances have set a thrilling tone for the 27th NUGA Games. The track in Jos has already witnessed personal bests, emotional finishes, and the promise of more records in the making.
The New Jos Stadium, with its vibrant energy and passionate spectators, continues to affirm its place as the heartbeat of university sports this week.
Feature Image Credit: Making of Champions Facebook Page
