Usoro Wins Silver, Becomes Sixth Nigerian Commonwealth Long Jump Medalist
Ruth Usoro has become the sixth Nigerian woman to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the long jump after claiming silver at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on Saturday night.
Competing at Scotstoun Stadium, the Nigerian produced a best leap of 6.87m on her opening attempt to finish second behind England’s Jazmin Sawyers, who secured the gold medal with a championship-winning jump of 6.93m.
Australia’s Brooke Buschkuehl claimed the bronze medal with a best effort of 6.80m.
Usoro’s silver medal sees her join an exclusive list of Nigerian women who have reached the Commonwealth Games podium in the event.
Violet Odogwu won bronze in 1966, Modupe Oshikoya claimed Nigeria’s first gold in 1974, Beatrice Utondu took silver in 1990, Christy Opara-Thompson earned bronze in 1994, while Ese Brume cemented her place among Nigeria’s greatest field athletes with gold medals in 2014 and 2022, the latter coming with the current Games record of 7.00m.
The 28-year-old opened the competition strongly with her medal-winning leap of 6.87m but was unable to improve after registering three fouls and managing valid jumps of 5.97m and 4.37m in the remaining rounds.
Nevertheless, her opening mark proved enough to secure the silver medal and another major international podium finish for Nigeria.
Usoro’s medal continues Nigeria’s rich tradition in the women’s long jump at the Commonwealth Games and adds another chapter to the country’s impressive record in the event, becoming the latest Nigerian athlete to climb the podium on one of athletics’ biggest stages.
