Adeshina shatters 14-year old high jump record in U.S

Nigeria’s Temitope Adeshina made a big statement yesterday in the High Jump at the Corky Classic in Texas, setting a new National Record (NR) of 1.96m.

.It’s sign of good things to come, says Okowa

High jumper, Temitope Adeshina, made history, yesterday, in the United States, shattering the national high jump record held by Doreen Amata since 2016.

Adeshina made her second appearance in competitive meets in the U.S. yesterday. The Nigerian, who joined the Texas Tech School athletics team in 2023, cleared the height of 1.96m to erase Amata’s 1.93m indoor and 1.95 outdoor records at the Corky Classic in Texas.

Adeshina, who narrowly missed the World Championships last year in Budapest with her previous personal best of 1.83m had always looked forward to competing at the World level. With her consistent performances it wouldn’t be out of place for her to dream of a podium finish at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The 1.96m is just a fraction below the Olympics qualification standard.

At the Corky Classic, Adeshina opened her day with 1.85m, and followed up with 1.88m before landing the big jump of 1.96.

President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa was full of praises for the jumper yesterday. He noted that it was thrilling to know that Adeshina is fast becoming a world-class athlete.

“It’s a heart-warming performance by Adeshina. It’s a world-class performance and I am banking on her to improve on that record.

“It’s a sign of good things to come as we prepare for the Africa Games in Ghana and the Olympics in Paris, Okowa stated.

By Gowon Akpodonor /  guardian