Ireland's Elizabeth Ndudi advances to world U20 long jump final

Ndudi is the reigning European U20 champion but she has struggled to replicate her best marks this summer due to an ongoing back issue.

Elizabeth Ndudi of Dundrum South Dublin AC, Dublin, competes in the women's long jump at the 2023 National Senior Championships. Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile

Elizabeth Ndudi endured some nervous moments at the World U20 Championships in Lima, Peru on Tuesday morning before advancing to the long jump final with a best of 5.95m.

That earned the 19-year-old Dubliner the 12th and final qualifying spot, her mark well down on the Irish record of 6.68m she jumped in April. Ndudi is the reigning European U20 champion but after a strong first year at the University of Illinois, she has struggled to replicate her best marks this summer due to an ongoing back issue.

“It was difficult – no jumps over six which has never happened to me before,” she said. “After nationals I had a few problems with my back so that’s something I really struggled with for the rest of the season. It was very nerve-wracking as I wasn’t sure if I was 12th or 13th, but I can reset now and go into tomorrow’s final.” 

The final takes place at 11.20pm Irish time on Wednesday night, with live coverage on eurovisionsport.com.

Ndudi’s goal? “It’s always to get the best finish possible so winning, but obviously I’ll have to look at different strategies, go in with a more confident mindset,” she said. “I’m normally very confident but today it was difficult, not knowing how my back would be. I always say: take the risk or lose the chance. I’m just going to go all out tomorrow, leave everything on the track and hope for the best.” 

Elsewhere, Sean Aigboboh of Tallaght AC clocked 10.55 to finish third in his heat of the men’s 100m, the 18-year-old advancing as the eighth and final non-automatic time qualifier. 

“Even though I didn’t execute the race properly, I’m happy to be through,” said Aigboboh. “To be out there with this calibre of athlete is great. I thought I was gone.” 

Aigboboh, like Rhasidat Adeleke and Israel Olatunde, has developed under the guidance of coach Daniel Kilgallon at Tallaght AC. When asked what was behind the rise in Irish athletics, he said: “A big part of it is just Rhasidat, Israel, the mixed 4x4, the women’s 4x4, Sharlene Mawdsley – all those big Irish athletes are pushing the sport into the limelight in Ireland. Everyone wants to join the sport and it’s getting bigger, faster and better.” 

There was no joy for the Irish mixed 4x400m team of Conor Kelly, Daisy Walker, Sean Doggett and Niamh Murray. They finished fourth in their heat in 3:26.40, their time not enough to advance to the final.