African women long jump record holder Ese Brume is hoping to win a back to back African Games gold here in Accra, Ghana.
Since 2015 when she missed the podium in Congo Brazzaville, Brume has gone on to achieve great things in the event including a 7.17m personal best, a hat-trick of African Championships, a sliver and bronze in the world championships. and a bronze in the Olympics. Brume, looking fit and oozing with confidence, is the woman to beat and those who can do it are compatriots Ruth Usoro and Prestina Ochonoghor.
Usoro with 6.87m is the leading jumper in African followed by Brume at 6.84m. Ochonoghor has a 6.66m seasion best . Usoro is being expected to be here in Accra to compete in her first African Games. Athletics fans who had longed to see a clash between duo can finally have their wishes. They would probably be treated to a Nigerian 1,2,3 in the event.
“I’m aiming for my second African Games,” Brume said with a big smile after training at the University of Ghana warm up tracks.
Meanwhile Athletics Federation officials are hopeful that Nigeria’s other top athlete and world 100m hurdle record holder Tobi Amusan would reach Accra before her events begin. She would be aiming to win her third straight African Games title.
“Yes Tobi would be here to compete. We are expecting her to arrive before her event begins,” AFN technical director Samuel Onikekun.
He noted that the athletes who had their first training Wednesday are all in fine spirit ahead of their events starting March 18. The team arrived in Accra on Tuesday morning.
