The opening day of the 2026 Commonwealth Games National Trials at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex in Lagos delivered impressive performances from athletes across several events, despite a technical hitch that stopped the commencement of the men’s 100 metres competition.
Athletes took centre stage on Sunday, producing personal bests, qualification standards, and standout performances as they intensified their quest for places on Team Nigeria ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
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One of the biggest talking points was the postponement of the men’s 100m heats due to technical issues.
Competition officials rescheduled the event for Monday, while the final has now been pushed back by 24 hours and will be held on Tuesday, June 23.
The delay means some of Nigeria’s top male sprinters will have to wait longer before beginning their campaign in one of the most anticipated events of the trials.
While the men’s sprint event was put on hold, the women’s 100m produced one of the performances of the day through Jennifer Chukwuka Obi.
The emerging sprint star stormed to victory in Heat Three with a lifetime best of 11.26 seconds (-0.8m/s), the fastest time of her career.
Obi’s impressive run further established her as a serious contender for national honours and a potential international prospect. Merit Ufuoma followed in 11.50 seconds, while Lucy Nwankwo secured qualification with a time of 11.60 seconds.
In the field events, US-based Prestina Ochonogor dominated the women’s long jump, producing a winning leap of 6.57m. Competing in the absence of national record holder Ese Brume, Ochonogor displayed her class and consistency to comfortably claim top spot.
The men’s triple jump also witnessed a breakthrough performance from Olaoluwa Akindunbi of Arena Academy.
Akindunbi produced a personal best leap of 16.08m to secure victory and announce himself as one of the rising stars of the event.
The women’s 5000m race delivered arguably the most remarkable story of the opening day as five athletes simultaneously achieved the benchmark required for the Ben Aghazu Excellence in Athletics Prize.
Vivian Obadiah of Delta State led the charge, winning the race in a personal best time of 17:24.85.
Closely behind were Mary Jah Bulus (17:26.28 PB), Aminat Adenike Alabi (17:26.51 PB), Nvou Gyang Tanko (17:26.82 PB), and Arinde Miracle Boluwatife (17:33.07 PB).
The achievement was historic, as all five athletes not only attained the qualifying standard but also recorded personal best performances in the same race, highlighting the growing strength of women’s distance running in Nigeria.
For the athletes, the Ben Aghazu Excellence in Athletics Prize provided additional motivation, rewarding outstanding performances and encouraging home-based competitors to raise their standards.
As Day Two beckons, attention will shift to the rescheduled men’s 100m heats and other key events, with athletes continuing their pursuit of qualification standards, national recognition, and opportunities to represent Nigeria on the international stage.
With personal bests already tumbling and several emerging talents making strong statements, the opening day of the Commonwealth Games Trials has set the stage for an exciting finish in Lagos.
