Nigerian high jump gold medalist at the 2018 ECOWAS Region II Championships, Cyprian Oyedele, is optimistic he can surpass the 2.12m entry standard for the 12th African Games.
Oyedele won the gold medal after making a jump of 2.04m at the ECOWAS championships held in Ghana June 2018.
Although the high flyer did not start his season on a bright note, he is prepared to dazzle the continent at the continental games.
According to Oyedele, his target is higher than the standard set by the Confederation of Africa Athletics (CAA) for the African Games.
“At least, I want to make a 2.15m to qualify for the Games, but hoping for a 2.20m, nothing is impossible through hard work and God’s grace.
“Even though I messed up my season opener, I am not disturbed or discouraged. I am standing tall, ready to face the challenges required and overcome.
“I just need to perfect what I have learnt because consistency is key in high jump. Now that I have finished with my exams and project, I have been training day in, day out.”
The 12th African Games is scheduled to take center stage in Rabat, Morocco, from August 19, to August 31, 2019.
Sunday Adeleye, the Technical Director, Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), has disclosed that trials for the African Games will commence in June.
Featured image source: Punch Newspapers