Get Guardian on GoogleNigeria’s Prestina Ochonogor delivered a sensational performance at the CAA U18/U20 African Athletics Championships in Abeokuta on Saturday, breaking a 10-year-old long jump record with a leap of 6.71m to win gold in the U20 women’s event.
The 6.71m effort not only shattered the previous mark of 6.33m — set by Olympic medalist Ese Brume in 2013 — but also confirmed Ochonogor’s rising star status in Nigerian athletics. Her other attempts, 6.63m and 6.60m, were equally dominant and underscored her consistency throughout the competition.
“She was simply the class of the field,” said one coach at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena. “From her first attempt, it was clear she came with a mission.”
The crowd erupted as the record-breaking jump was announced, marking a historic moment in the championships and signalling the emergence of Nigeria’s next big name in horizontal jumps.
Ochonogor’s win adds to Nigeria’s medal haul as the country battles South Africa and Kenya for top spot in the championship standings. The competition continues through Sunday.
