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An unprecedented record was attained at the Nigeria Olympic trials in Benin, where 3 jumpers soared to the best jumps on home soil.
The men's long jump final at the Nigeria Olympic trials in Benin produced historic fireworks as three jumpers went above the 8m mark for the first time on home soil.
Interestingly, all three and most of the jumpers leaped to new Personal Bests (PB), creating the greatest jumps competition in Nigerian history.
Top on the list is University of Minnesota freshman Charles Godfred, who won his first senior national title by leaping an exceptional 8.16m - joint seventh best on the Nigerian all-time list and farthest by a Nigerian since 2012 when Stanley Gbagbeke jumped 8.20m.
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Godfred's mark is also the third farthest by an African this year, the second-longest winning distance in Nigeria Championships history (behind Gbagbeke), and the second-best by a Nigerian across all competitions since 2012.
The 19-year-old inspired the rest of the field to break their PBs as well, with University of South Florida's Goodness Iredia finishing second in 8.03m - his first time above the 8m mark.
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Worthy of note is that Iredia had never jumped over 8m in any conditions in his career. He just started doing the long jump last year, then combined it with the triple jump this season.
He would have continued as a major challenge to Godfred but had to withdraw after feeling cramps in his thigh.
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18:19 - 15.06.2024
Nigeria's female rising star rivals Sha'Carri Richardson's college milestone
Meet the Nigerian young female sprinter that matched Sha'Carri Richardson's feat in college.
Lastly, Emmanuel Njoku joined the league to finish third at the Olympic trials, with a PB of 8.00m. The home-based athlete flew to this distance on his last attempt to stamp his name as one to watch out for in the event.
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This historic milestone by these young jumpers is a testament that Nigeria is brewing some world beaters in the event, and in the next few years, they'll be ripe enough for global domination.
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