Ruth Usoro Replaces Ese Brume in Nigeria’s Commonwealth Games Squad

Nigeria’s track and field team has suffered a setback ahead of the 23rd Commonwealth Games, with long jump star Ese Brume ruled out of the competition reportedly through injury.

Brume has been replaced in Team Nigeria’s squad by Ruth Usoro, who, together with Prestina Ochonogor, will now represent the country in the women’s long jump at the Games, which begin later this month in Glasgow, Scotland.

According to a reliable source at Team Nigeria’s training camp in Aberdeen, Scotland, Brume has been deemed not fit enough to defend the Commonwealth Games title she successfully reclaimed four years ago in Birmingham.

The withdrawal brings an unfortunate end to what could have been another memorable Commonwealth Games campaign for the Nigerian.

Brume first claimed the women’s long jump gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow before successfully reclaiming her title in Birmingham in 2022.

A third appearance in Glasgow had presented an opportunity to add another podium finish to her impressive Commonwealth record.

Usoro earns the call-up after producing encouraging form in recent weeks. The 28-year-old won the women’s long jump at the Ed Murphey Classic in Memphis, Tennessee, last weekend with two impressive but wind-aided jumps of 6.76m and 6.74m.

She also owns a wind-legal season’s best of 6.65m, a mark surpassed among Nigerian athletes this year only by national champion Prestina Ochonogor, who has recorded 6.69m and is preparing to make her Commonwealth Games debut.

The Glasgow Games will mark Usoro’s second Commonwealth Games appearance after she finished sixth in the women’s long jump on her debut in Birmingham four years ago.

She will now be aiming to build on that experience and challenge for her first Commonwealth Games medal as Nigeria looks to maintain its strong tradition in the event despite Brume’s absence.