Onwuzurike Opens 2026 Indoor Season With 6.68s, Usoro Struggles in Long Jump
Former World U20 champion Udodi Onwuzurike began his 2026 indoor campaign with a sixth-place finish at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, a World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold event held in Boston.
The Nigerian sprinter clocked 6.68 seconds in the men’s 60m, marking his season opener.
The race was won by Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake, who stormed to victory in 6.53 seconds, a personal season’s best. Puerto Rico’s Eloy Benítez followed closely in 6.56 seconds, while reigning NCAA champion Jordan Anthony of the United States secured third place in 6.57 seconds.
In the women’s long jump, Nigeria’s Ruth Usoro returned to track and field action for the second time this season but could not replicate the form she showed a week earlier at the Texas Tech Corky Classic in Lubbock, Texas, where she leapt 6.26m.
This time, Usoro managed 5.93m on her opening attempt before fouling her next four jumps, leaving her in sixth place. The event was won by Monae’ Nichols of the United States, who produced a winning mark of 6.64m.
