National Sports Festival: David Aya Claims High Jump Gold
David Aya of Team Delta claimed the gold medal in the high jump event at the EDO 2020 National Sports Festival where he scaled 2.18m at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin, Edo State.
Heading into the Festival, fan-favourite Mike Edwards was the main contender for the men’s High Jump title. He was coming off the back of a convincing victory at the Betking/3rd MoC Grand Prix, where he scaled 2.15m.
The competition started in earnest when the bar was raised to 1.80m with four of the jumpers passing up on 1.75m.
Cyprian Oyedele of Lagos State and Aya started their series from 1.85 and were flawlessly entering the 2.00m mark. Meanwhile, Edwards of Team Rivers State who is the defending champion from the last festival passed up on all these heights as he kicked off his series at 2.05m.
The next stop was 2.10m and Edwards cleared at the first attempt, which left Aya and Oyedele. They both have that mark as their Personal Best. However, both failed at their first attempt, before scaling the mark at the second attempt.
At 2.15m, the athletes started to show tension and the event went on. Oyedele was up first and he flew straight over the bar, though there was a little scare when he slightly brushed the bar. The jump gave him the lead at that point. Being roared on by the crowd, Aya then stepped up and scaled over the mark to put him in 2nd place at that point.
Edwards needed a big jump to keep his hopes alive, however, he missed his first two attempts on the height. He then managed to make the jump on this third attempt
The three jumpers all went at 2.18m next and they all didn’t clear, giving Aya the gold medal based on a count back. Oyedele won Silver, and Edwards took the Bronze.
When Aya realised he had won gold, the burst into tears as he found it hard coming to terms that he was now a National Sports Festival High Jump champion!
It was a day for the underdogs as David Aya of Team Delta caused a major upset in the competition.
A memorable night to remember as both David Aya and Cyprian Oyedele showcased hardwotk and determination in reaching this defining moment in their careers.
Follow the EDO 2020 National Sports Festival on Voice of Nigeria…
Chidi Nwoke/MakingOfChampions.
