On this day 9 August 2006( Exactly 16 years ago today) A dramatic last attempt saw Ghana’s Ignisious Gaisah win the Long Jump on day one at the Africa Athletics Championships at the Germain Commarmond Stadium in Bambous, Mauritius.
Gaisah took the lead with an opening jump of 8.24m and extended the lead at the fourth attempt with an 8.34m effort. However with South Africa’s Khotso Mokoena improving with each attempt, Gaisah skipped his fifth jump.
It all came down to the wire with Mokoena briefly taking the lead with an 8.45m effort. Gaisah responded with massive albeit wind-aided (+3.7) effort to win the contest with a leap of 8.51m. Algeria Issam Nima was third with a legal 8.24m.
“I know Mokoena improves as the contest progresses so I skipped the fifth jump to ensure a maximum effort in my final effort,” Gaisah said.
The World Indoor and Commonwealth Games champion went on “If it was not for the strong wind behind me I would have set the Africa record today. I want to assure Africa that I will give my all at the World Cup,” says Gaisah.
