BEIJING 2008 Olympic Games bronze medalist, Blessing Okagbare, Friday at the IAAF Diamond League holding in Doha, Oatar, set a new African long jump record of 7.14 metres, eclipsing the 7.12 metres set by Olympic gold medalist, Chioma Ajunwa at the Atlanta 1996 games.
The competition is the first leg of the Diamond League, which features the world's best athletes in search of fame and fortune.
Okagbare's jump was good enough for the silver medal, as the London 2012 Olympic Games' gold medalist, United States' Britney Reese, leaped to world leading 7.25 metres for the crown. Reese' jump is also the meet's record in the event.
Another American, Janay Soukop Deloach, took the third position with a 7.08 jump, while Nigerian-born American, Funmi Jimoh, came fourth with 6.92 metres.
Okagbare, who is the world leader this season in 200 metres race, is also listed for the 100 metres event.
The 2013 IAAF Diamond League kicked off yesterday at the Hamad Bin Suhaim Stadium in Doha.
Several Olympic and World champions lined up for the opener, as they continued preparation for this summer's IAAF World Athletics Championship in Moscow.
Among the expected highlighted clashes on the schedule are that of Botswana's World champion Amantle Montsho against London Olympic 200m champion, Allyson Felix of USA, in the women's 400m and the 800m clash between Olympic champion and World record-holder, David Rudisha, against Ethiopia's Mohammed Aman.
Montsho currently holds the world-leading mark of 50.14 seconds and she faces Felix, who will start unbeaten in 10 races in Doha since making her first appearance in 2005.
It is expected to be a very exciting match, with Montsho holding the upper hand after getting the better of her American rival on the last two occasions.
Two-time Olympic Games 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce highlight the list of sprinters who will face the starter in the women's 200m dash.
Fraser-Pryce, who copped a silver medal at this event over last summer's London Games, is coming off a 22.38 seconds seasonal best winning performance at the Jamaica Invitational last weekend and faces Okagbare, who is the current world-leader with 22.31.
"I just want to execute a good 200m and see what is the best I can do," Fraser-Pryce said at the 2013 Doha press conference on Thursday.
"The 200m is not my best event and it's something I am learning. It is a new challenge.
"I didn't used to like it because I found it difficult to distribute the speed all the way round. I am learning the best strategy and I am looking forward to the Moscow World Championships." Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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