Ireland (Washington Insider Magazine) – Ireland, a nation with a rich athletic history, has not seen success in the long jump for over a century. The last medal in the event was Peter O’Connor’s silver at the 1906 Olympics, representing the British team before Irish independence. However, 19-year-old Elizabeth Ndudi from Dublin aims to change that at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima.
Rising Star
Ndudi, currently third on the world U20 list with a 6.68m jump achieved in Champaign, USA, in April, enters the competition as the European U20 champion. Last year, she set an Irish U20 record with a 6.56m jump to claim the European title. Ndudi’s goal for Lima is clear: winning the gold medal.
Born in Dublin to a mixed Irish-Dutch mother and Nigerian father, Ndudi began her athletic journey with Dundrum South Dublin AC. At age 11, she moved to France and trained under Julien Guilard at Racing Club Nantes. In 2022, she broke the Irish U18 long jump record with a 6.36m jump and competed in the European U18 Championships in Jerusalem.
According to WorldAthletics, Ndudi chose to represent Ireland despite holding dual nationality. “I always said when I was younger that if I made it to the Olympics, I’d represent Ireland because we don’t often see big Irish athletes in athletics at the Olympics,” she said. Her decision paid off when she became Ireland’s first field event gold medallist at the European U20 Championships.
University and Coaching
Ndudi chose to attend the University of Illinois, where she is coached by Petros Kyprianou, who has worked with 17 Olympians. Her first year in the NCAA system has been “amazing,” with improved facilities and a supportive team environment helping her to new heights.
Ndudi trains six days a week with a focus on strength and runway speed. She acknowledges areas for improvement, particularly in her landing and take-off techniques, which could help her achieve even greater distances.
Record-Breaking Season
During the indoor season, Ndudi finished seventh at the NCAA Indoor Championships and set an Irish senior record of 6.68m at the Gary Wieneke Memorial in April. Though she missed qualifying for the NCAA Championships in June, she continued to compete in Europe to boost her world ranking.
Ndudi returned to Dublin at the end of June to win the Irish senior title, despite dealing with a sore back. With two months to prepare for Lima, she took a short break to recover before resuming training. Although she did not qualify for the Paris Olympics, she plans to attend as a spectator, gaining inspiration for future competitions.
As Ireland marks the centenary of its first Olympic appearance as an independent nation, Ndudi hopes to end the long jump medal drought. With her sights set on the World Championships and future Olympics, she remains focused on achieving her goals and making history for Ireland.
