In one of the most thrilling displays of athletic talent at the ongoing National Sports Festival, Mary Adediran of Lagos State clinched gold in the women’s long jump with a leap of 5.85 metres, edging out her closest rivals by mere centimetres in what has become one of the most hotly contested finals of the games.
Favour Olise of Edo State secured the silver medal with a jump of 5.77 metres, while Delta State’s Franca Ajagbawa wasn’t far behind, landing a mark of 5.75 metres to claim bronze.
With just 10 centimetres separating the top three finishers, the final lived up to the festival’s billing as a showcase of Nigeria’s emerging athletic talent. Adediran, whose previous best had hovered just around the 5.70m mark, found the perfect moment to rise to the occasion and etch her name in the history books.
“This is a dream come true,” a beaming Adediran said after the medal presentation. “I’ve worked so hard for this, and to win in such a tight field makes it even more special.”
The intensity of the competition left spectators at the edge of their seats, with each jump in the final rounds reshuffling the medal positions. Coaches and fans alike praised the technical finesse and mental toughness on display, especially from the top three athletes who traded leads until the final jump.
“This is what the National Sports Festival is all about—producing moments that inspire and athletes that show what is possible with hard work,” said one athletics official at the venue.
As the dust settles on the long jump pit, Mary Adediran’s golden leap will be remembered not just for the distance, but for the drama, determination, and dreams it represented.
