Adeshina thanks 'sports mother' who bought her first shoes

Source: Punch Newspapers
Author: Abiodun Adewale

Nigerian high jumper and national record holder (indoor and outdoor), Temitope Adeshina, says former African Games gold medallist Doren Amata gave her career a push when she started years back, PUNCH Sports Extra.

Adeshina won her second consecutive high jump national title at the just-concluded National Trials in Benin City and was full of praises for Amata, who she said bought her first shoes and kits to compete.

The 25-year-old had qualified for the Olympics before the National Trials and also holds the indoor and outdoor national records, which were previously held by Amata.

"I was here to compete and try if I could scale the 2.00m mark. I want to prove that I can do it and thanks to my coach, Kola Adebayo, who believes in me, if not for him, I won't be here," Adeshina told Making of Champions.

"Thanks to Doren Amata, she is my sports mother and has been there for me since day one. She bought me my first high jump shoes and my first complete kits as well."

In Benin City, the Texas Tech athlete was well ahead of her competitors as she attempted only two heights throughout the competition.

She tied the meeting record of 1.95m to win the title ahead of Francess Ajagbawa in second with a personal best of 1.75m while African Games finalist Peace Ewa took third in 1.70m.

Adeshina is also the first Nigerian jumper to qualify for the Olympics since Amata in 2016.

Asked about her expectations, she noted that her target in Paris is the gold medal.

"You never can tell, I can come home with the gold and that's my target," she said.

Although she opened up about the pressure of combining academics and sports, Adeshina has enjoyed a successful debut season in the United State's National Collegiate Athletic Association where she finished third in the women's high jump as one of the best representatives of her school.

She also achieved her Olympic qualifications during the NCAA championships earlier this month.

Adeshina is a silver medallist at the 2022 African Championships in Mauritius.