Ruth Usoro broke the national record in the women’s triple jump event at the Texas Tech Corky Classic on Saturday.
The 23-year-old leapt a distance of 14.28m in her first attempt to set the new Nigerian record.
She broke the 14.21m record set by Chinonye Ohadugha at the 2007 African Games in Algiers, Algeria.
The jump ensured she won the event ahead of Sophia Falco and Ella Anttila, who leapt 12.91m and 12.89m respectively.
The distance was also the joint world lead in the triple jump this year.
It was also the second-farthest distance in NCAA history, behind Georgia’s Keturah Orji, who leapt 14.53m in 2018.
Usoro’s previous personal best was 13.49m in January 24, 2019 at the Sports Performance Center, Lubbock, USA.
Hours later, Usoro set the meet’s record to win the long jump event with a distance of 6.51m.
Speaking after the event, an elated Usoro said breaking the record came as a surprise to her
“I was really surprised when I saw it.
“I wasn’t expecting it at this time. It’s so early. I am just very thankful to God right now,” she told texastech.com.
