Elizabeth Ndudi won gold for Ireland in the long jump at the European U20 Athletics Championships in Jerusalem on Thursday.
It is Ireland's first ever field event gold medal at the championships.
The winning jump from Elizabeth Ndudi ✨🥇#Jerusalem2023 @EuroAthletics @allathleticstv @Ask123ie pic.twitter.com/sL92SEK7Mx
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) August 10, 2023
The Dundrum South Dublin athlete jumped 6.56m with her third attempt of the competition. It was good enough to win ahead of Bulgaria's Plamena Mitkova who leapt 6.54m and Laura Raquel Muller of Germany whose best effort was 6.51m.
The jump is also a new Irish U20 record and puts Ndudi second on the all-time Irish list. Only Kelly Proper's national senior record of 6.62m ranks ahead of the 18-year-old's effort.
Late last month, Ndudi won gold in the long jump at the National Senior Championships in Santry.
30 July 2023; Elizabeth Ndudi of Dundrum South Dublin AC, Dublin, competes in the women's long jump during day two of the 123.ie National Senior Outdoor Championships at Morton Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile
"I’m in shock," she said.
"I’m amazed how well the event went for me. I was confident in myself coming in here but it’s a huge improvement and to do it in such a high competition makes the national record so special.
"I really focused on my mental preparations as well as the physical side coming in here. I made sure to really get in the zone in the morning and evening before sessions. Last year I was a bit nervous and I think that’s why I didn’t post a big jump but today I came in here full of confidence, so I was mentally prepared."
It is the second medal Ireland has claimed at this year's championships. On Wednesday evening, Tyrone native Nick Griggs won silver in the 3000m.
And it's European GOLD for Elizabeth Ndudi in this year's U20 European Championships🥇
She takes the title in style with a new Irish National U20 Record of 6.56 on her 3rd attempt! An outstanding performance from Ndudi🤩
She takes the first ever Field Event medal at these… pic.twitter.com/nFPHXPx341— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) August 10, 2023
See Also: Nick Griggs Claims 3000m Silver For Ireland At Euro U20 Championships
