Adeshina sets target for next season

Nigerian high jumper Temitope Adeshina has turned her attention away from the disappointing 2024 Olympics outing in Paris, setting a target of 2.05m for herself in the event next season, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Adeshina, who is the current national record holder (indoor and outdoor) did not make the final of the event which was won by Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh in Paris.

Her Olympics debut ended in the qualifying round after missing her attempts at 1.92m.  She had comfortably scaled 1.83m and 1.88m on a second attempt before bowing out.

The three-time national champion reflected on her performance in Paris, noting that it would be her driving force as she hopes to scale higher heights next season.

“Being at the Paris Olympics was like God crowning my effort. It was a dream come true,” the 25-year-old told PUNCH Sports Extra.

“I had hoped to jump 2m before the end of this season which ended with the Olympics and I wish I did that on the global stage too.

“I will be back in school immediately after the Olympics to focus on studies and resuming training ahead of next season as well. The target is to jump 2.05m. I have 3cm more to make 2m and I will double the effort to jump 2.5m.”

She noted that the 2m mark was the winning height in Paris and going higher than that can potentially put her in contention for a medal at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.

“I believe that can get me some records in school and even propel me at the World Championships next year in Tokyo,” she said.

She is the second Nigerian to compete in the high jump at the Olympics after Doreen Amata did at the 2008 and 2016 editions.

The Texas Tech student enjoyed a successful debut season in the United States’s National Collegiate Athletic Association, where she broke both national records with a personal best of 1.97m and finished third in the women’s high jump as one of the best representatives of her school.

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