Usoro leaps to Memphis win

 Nigerian jumper Ruth Usoro finished in pole position in the women’s long jump of the Ed Murphey Classic in Memphis on Friday, jumping 6.70 m, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

She had just two legal jumps, and it was only her first competition since she won the triple jump event at the African Games almost four months ago.

Chanice Porter of Jamaica came in second with 6.50 m, while Tyra Gittens of Trinidad and Tobago was in third with 6.35 m.

This effort serves as a morale booster for the student at Texas Tech University, who was earlier this week named as part of the Nigerian team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Usoro is one of a few Nigerian athletes tipped to reach the final of their respective events in Paris. She competed in the 2023 World Athletics Championships long jump in Budapest and won gold in the triple jump at the 2023 African Games in Accra, Ghana, in March.

On February 26, 2021, Usoro jumped 6.82 m in the long jump to meet the qualifying standard for the delayed 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. It was the 2nd-best jump in the world for the season at the time and the 3rd-best on the Nigerian all-time list alongside Ese Brume.

The 8th Annual Ed Murphey Classic is part of the PUMA American Track League. The 2024 event is categorised as a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver event and is broadcast live on Peacock.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]