Adeshina Makes History with Successful NCAA High Jump Title Defence

Temitope Adeshina etched her name deeper into the record books on Saturday, becoming the first Nigerian, male or female, to successfully defend an NCAA indoor title.

The 27-year-old cleared 1.97m to retain the crown she first won in 2025, living up to her billing as pre-championship favourite.

Adeshina entered the competition at 1.91m, needing two attempts to clear, but then soared over 1.94m and 1.97m at the first time of asking.

Ghana’s Rose Yeboah, flawless until 1.94m, managed the height on her second attempt to claim silver, while Alyssa Jones took bronze with 1.91m.

Adeshina’s bid to reach the magical 2.00m mark fell short after three unsuccessful tries, leaving her to chase that milestone outdoors.

In the men’s event, Nigeria’s Justine Osigwe Jimoh struggled to make an impact.

His best clearance of 2.15m, achieved in the second round, left him well off the podium. The title went to Harvard’s Tito Alofe, who cleared 2.24m on his second attempt to win on countback ahead of Oklahoma’s Kyren Washington, who managed the same height but only on his third attempt.