By Ben Efe
Former Nigerian high jump great, Doreen Amata said Temitope Adeshina erasing her records, indicated that the event was progressively moving in Nigeria.
Amata came to national limelight in 2002, juggling her education and sports to become one of Africa’s standout performers between the sticks. She stated that she expected Adeshina to have outshined her 1.93m Indoor and 1.95m outdoor marks last year, but all the same, she is happy Adeshina finally, pulled it off.
Amata and Adeshina trained under coach Kola Adebayo, before the new high jump sensation moved to Texas Tech School last year.
Competing last Friday in Lubbock Texas, Adeshina achieved 1.96m to set a new national high jump record and a world leading performance so far.
” I feel great and excited I love my event the high jump so much and to see the event heading in the right direction after me makes me proud.
” And the fact that my ‘daughter in sport’ is the one doing it even bring me much joy, I am a proud mama,” said Amata who dominated the Nigerian women high jump for over a decade, before calling it quit after the 2016 Olympics in Rio Brazil.
” I am exited to know that Adeshina is taking the event to another level from where I dropped the baton.
“It is a given that records are meant to be broken. Since I broken someone’s record during my time, it is about time for a new record to be set.
“I actually expected her to break the record last year after jumping the 1.94m. We spoke and she told me she missed 1.96m and I told her she would jump 1.96m the next time she attempted the height. So yes am super excited for her.”
Amata who is now devoted to seeing her young son Bryan, become a world champion, said her protege Adeshina has all it takes to improve on her new personal best.
“It was only her second competition of the season and I know for sure that she got much more in her to give. She is a hard working and discipline athlete and I know she will succeed on and off the field…2m plus is very possible.
“All I will say is for her to stay focus and keep soaring high and higher above the sky is the goal.”
Amata won the 2007 and 2011 African Games gold medals. She settled for silver in 2015 and followed up with an African Championships silver in 2016. The Delta State born athlete made her Olympics debut in 2008 finish in the world top 16. She also participated in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.
