Nigerian long jump witnesses remarkable outing at Olympic trials

An unprecedented record was achieved at the Nigeria Olympic trials in Benin, where three long jumpers surpassed the 8m mark for the first time on home soil.

This historic event marked the greatest jumps competition in Nigerian history, with many athletes setting new personal bests.

Leading the pack was University of Minnesota freshman Charles Godfred, who claimed his first senior national title with an exceptional leap of 8.16m.

This jump ties him for seventh on Nigeria’s all-time list and is the farthest by a Nigerian since Stanley Gbagbeke’s 8.20m in 2012.

Godfred’s mark is also the third farthest by an African this year and the second-longest winning distance in Nigeria Championships history.

Godfred’s impressive performance inspired the rest of the field. Goodness Iredia from the University of South Florida finished second with a jump of 8.03m, surpassing the 8m mark for the first time.

Iredia, who only started long jumping last year, had to withdraw after experiencing thigh cramps but still achieved a significant milestone.

Emmanuel Njoku, a home-based athlete, rounded out the top three with a personal best of 8.00m, achieved on his final attempt. This jump solidified his status as a rising star in the event.

This historic achievement by these young jumpers signals that Nigeria is developing world-class talent in the long jump, with the potential for global domination in the coming years.