Higher jumper Temitope Adeshina, making her second appearance in competitive meets in the USA, has shattered the national high jump record held by Doreen Amata since 2016.
Adeshina 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 on Friday at the Corky Classic in Lubbock, Texas.
Reacting to the development Athletics Federation of Nigeria president, Tonobok Okowa 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 leading 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 African Games and the Olympics this year,” said Okowa.
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 and with her consistent performances it wouldn’t be out of place for her to dream of a podium finish at the Olympics. The 1.96m is just a fraction below the Olympics qualification standard.
At the Corky Classic she opened her day with 1.85m, she followed up with 1.88 and 1.96, before landing the big jump.
