Ruth Usoro wins silver in long jump at Glasgow

Ruth Usoro won silver in the women’s long jump at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on Saturday. She achieved a season’s best of 6.87m (+2.7) on her first attempt to secure her spot on the podium, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

Usoro was in the lead for much of the event after her opening jump. She had two fouls on her next attempts, but her first leap was enough to keep her in second place.

Only England’s Jazmin Sawyers jumped farther, with a distance of 6.93m to defend her Commonwealth title. Australia's Brooke Buschkuehl took home bronze with a jump of 6.80m.

This result is a big step up for Usoro, who finished sixth at the last Commonwealth Games. She was born in Akwa Ibom State and grew up in Lagos. The 28-year-old gained fame in the United States, becoming one of the top athletes in NCAA history while at Texas Tech University, winning many titles in long jump and triple jump.

In 2021, she made history as the first Nigerian athlete, male or female, to qualify for both the long jump and triple jump at the Olympic Games. A year later, she and Ese Brume became the first Nigerian duo to reach the World Championships long jump final together.

Usoro has since represented Nigeria at the World Athletics Championships, the African Championships, and the Olympic Games, where she finished tenth in long jump at Paris 2024. She also holds the All-African Games title in triple jump.

Her silver medal in Glasgow, achieved with her best mark of the season, adds to her collection of medals and strengthens her reputation as one of Africa’s best field athletes.

Usoro faced a strong group of competitors that included the defending champion and an experienced rival from Australia. She stayed calm throughout the competition, and her opening jump ended up being crucial for her podium finish.