By Kehinde Okeowo
The wait for Nigeria to be listed as one of the countries that have won a medal at the on-going Tokyo Olympics has finally come to an end.
Although, the country has already been guaranteed a silver medal by the exploit of Blessing Oborududu, in the 68kg category of women’s freestyle wrestling, it was Bruno who ensured the name of the country was written on the medal log.
In a field which contained 7 athletes who have jumped over 7 meters this season, the Nigerian jumped 6.97 meters to finished in the third position.
The world champion , Germany’s Malaika Mihambo, won the event after leaving it late to jump 7 00 meters with her last jump, 34-year-old American, Brittney Reese, finished second with the same 6.97 meters jump.
Bruno went into the competition with the a jump of 7.17meters , which is the best jump this season by any long jumper, and was poised to take the silver medal when the German athlete, produced her moment of magic In her final jump.
The elated Nigerian, thereafter, collected the Nigerian flag to celebrate her medal inside the Olympic stadium. This is the first time during the tournament, that a Nigerian athlete will take a victory lap in the stadium.
With this bronze medal, and the one expected from Oborududu in women’s freestyle wrestling , Nigeria is now guaranteed to leave Tokyo with at least two medals .
