Ese Brume: Aiming For Gold In The Long Jump

Duro Ikhazuagbe Reporting from Paris

Nigeria’s representative in the women’s long jump event, Ese Brume, has set her sights on nothing less than the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Speaking exclusively with THISDAY at the Athletes Village, Brume, who previously won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Games, expressed her determination to improve and claim the top prize this time.

“I have my eyes set on the gold medal. That is my ultimate ambition here in Paris 2024,” emphasized the back-to-back Commonwealth Games gold medalist.

The talented athlete revealed that she has fully recovered from the injuries that plagued her throughout the outdoor season.

“I am feeling good now. My injuries are behind me. I just hope luck is on my side to deliver a fantastic jump in the final on Thursday,” Brume emphasized.

It is worth noting that this is the first time Nigeria has had three athletes in the final of the women’s long jump event.

Alongside Brume, who qualified with a jump of 6.76m, Ruth Usoro and Prestina Ochonogor also secured their spots in the final.

Usoro impressed with a jump of 6.68m, showcasing her potential and earning her first Olympic final appearance. Ochonogor, on the other hand, made a remarkable debut with a modest jump of 6.65m, which proved enough for qualification.

This achievement is historically significant for Nigerian athletics, as the country has never had three athletes advance to the final in an individual event since their first Olympic participation in 1952.

Ese Brume’s performance during the preliminary rounds was particularly inspiring, as she produced a clutch jump to secure her place in the final, despite facing the risk of missing out.

While Brume is no stranger to Olympic finals, this will mark the debut for Usoro and Ochonogor.

The long jump final is scheduled to take place on Thursday, August 8th at 7:00 pm Nigerian time.