Ochonogor Cleared for Commonwealth Games Long Jump

National long jump champion Prestina Ochonogor has been cleared to compete in the women’s long jump at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after organisers reversed an earlier decision that declared her ineligible.

An official of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) confirmed the development on Tuesday, ending days of uncertainty over the 19-year-old athlete’s participation.

Games organisers had initially informed Team Nigeria that Ochonogor could not be added to the final entry list because her name was not included in Nigeria’s original submission.

The decision was communicated in a letter signed by the Commonwealth Games Technical Delegate, Chris Cohen, on Sunday.

Nigeria had requested the inclusion of Ochonogor and Ruth Usoro following the withdrawal of multiple Commonwealth Games medallist Ese Brume, but the request was initially rejected.

However, the AFN official confirmed that the issue had been resolved, paving the way for Ochonogor to feature in the women’s long jump final scheduled for Saturday.

Ochonogor secured her place on Team Nigeria after winning the women’s long jump at the National Athletics Trials held in June at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex in Lagos.

The United States-based athlete recorded a winning leap of 6.57 metres to claim the national title in the absence of Brume, outperforming a competitive field to strengthen her case for selection.

The women’s long jump event at the Commonwealth Games will be contested as a straight final, with organisers expected to release the official start list in the coming days.

Her clearance provides a timely boost for Team Nigeria’s athletics squad, which is aiming for a strong medal haul in Glasgow across the track and field events.

Brume, who withdrew from the Games, is the reigning Commonwealth Games champion in the event, having won gold at Birmingham 2022 and Glasgow 2014.

She also set the current Commonwealth Games record of 7.00 metres during her victorious performance in Birmingham, leaving Ochonogor with the opportunity to continue Nigeria’s proud tradition in the women’s long jump.