JOSEPH Edafiadhe, the 2013 African Youth Athletics Championships (AYAC) long jump gold medallist said on Wednesday that he was aiming to meet the prescribed standards set for major competitions in 2019.

Edafiadhe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that he was working hard to ensure he met the standards for the African Games and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships.

NAN reports that the IAAF standard for the long jump for men and women are currently set at 8.17m and 6.72m, respectively.

“I am really working towards making the team for the African Games and World championships because I want to make my coach and fans proud,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the upcoming 12th African Games is scheduled for Aug.19 to Aug. 31 in Rabat, Morocco, while the IAAF World Championships is scheduled for Doha, Qatar, from Sept. 28 to Oct. 6.

He added that he did not attend the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) All Comers competition which held in Ijebu-Ode because he was taking deliberate steps to perfect his jumps.

“People did not see me at the All Comers; I want to attend competitions nationally only when I am sure of perfecting my jumps.

“I have to meet the standard set for the African Games and the World Championships, even if it is just two national competitions before these championships that I can attend with a perfect jump, I will be okay.

“The best thing is not just to win but the performance is key, it is not just for me to jump 7.04m and people will clap.

“I am no longer in the junior or youth category, I am in the senior and the standards are high and I really need to work hard,’’ he said.

Edafiadhe also won a silver medal at the 2018 National Sports Festival (NSF) with a leap of 7.60 metres. (NAN)

– Apr. 10, 2019 @ 15:52 GMT |