It was a dramatic finish at the Tom Jones Memorial on Friday as Nigeria’s Charles Godfred saved his best for last to win the men’s long jump title in spectacular fashion.
With the pressure mounting, Godfred soared to a personal best of 7.65m on his fourth and final attempt, securing the gold medal and stamping his mark on the competition.
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The Nigerian jumper had been trailing for most of the event, but displayed nerves of steel and impeccable timing to deliver the winning leap when it mattered most.
Hot on his heels was compatriot Precious Ebitimi, who also pulled off a clutch final attempt to secure a podium finish. Ebitimi jumped 7.26m, enough to claim third place and join Godfred on the podium, completing a strong showing for Team Nigeria.
Godfred’s performance not only earned him the top spot but also demonstrated the growing strength of Nigeria’s field athletes on the international stage. His composure under pressure and ability to rise to the occasion drew praise from coaches and spectators alike.
“This victory means a lot. I knew I had it in me, I just had to stay focused,” said Godfred after the win. “To finish strong and have Precious on the podium with me makes it even more special.”
The Tom Jones Memorial, held at the University of Florida, featured top collegiate and professional athletes from around the world. For Nigeria, the event served as both a morale boost and a marker of progress in the buildup to the 2025 athletics season.
With performances like these, Charles Godfred and Precious Ebitimi are signaling their readiness to take on bigger challenges—and the world is watching.
