Emmanuel Abba and Comfort Etim took center stage at the recently concluded 2nd edition of the Abuja Mountain Bike Festival.
Abba set a new meet record, completing the challenging Karu mountains and valleys course in an impressive 1 hour and 5 minutes. His determination paid off with a cash prize of five hundred thousand naira. Emmanuel Ani secured second place with a time of 2 hours and 13 minutes, while Badamasi Mohammed claimed the third spot.
Reflecting on his victory, Abba spoke about the demanding nature of the Karu hills, emphasizing how he stuck to his game plan throughout the race. “It was an interesting race; even when I wasn’t leading, I stuck to my strategy, and it paid off,” he said. Abba expressed excitement about the next edition, hoping to improve his time.
In the women’s category, Comfort Etim triumphed against all odds, earning a cash prize of two hundred thousand naira. She shared her surprise at the victory, mentioning moments of doubt but ultimately pushing through. “This means so much to me; I never thought I was going to win it,” she said. Etim looks forward to the next edition, intending to train more and enhance her performance.
Dr. Andrew Etsetowaghan, Chairman of the Abuja Chaingang Club, commended all participants, expressing hopes for a larger and more diverse turnout in the next edition. The event attracted notable figures, including former Presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, who participated in the race and emphasized the significance of cycling in combating cardiovascular disease.
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