After months of silence, Nigeria’s long jump icon Ese Brume has spoken candidly about her emotional road to recovery.
Her words come just six months after surviving a ghastly car accident in the United States that nearly ended her career – and life.
Brume, an athletics powerhouse, revealed she is far from peak form but remains optimistic as she builds toward full fitness. While speaking to Making of Champions, she shared how she’s been navigating both physical rehab and the mental scars of the traumatic event.
“I’m recovering, as you can see. I’m not in my best shape, but I’m trying to push really hard… and hopefully everything works out well,” Brume said.
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Despite the hurdles, she competed at the Adidas Atlanta City Games on Saturday, and delivered an encouraging performance. Although she finished fourth, her leap of 6.70m marked a Season’s Best and signaled progress in the right direction.
Meanwhile, World Indoor Champion Claire Bryant claimed victory with a wind-assisted 7.03m. Jasmine Moore followed closely, landing a 7.02m jump that kept fans on edge throughout the event.
Looking back, Brume’s participation was a triumph in itself. In November 2024, while returning from New York, she and British sprinter Annie Tagoe were involved in a horrific collision. An SUV struck their vehicle, which flipped multiple times before emergency crews rushed them to the hospital.
Both athletes sustained major injuries, but thankfully survived. The extent of the car wreck made it clear just how narrowly they escaped tragedy. Yet, instead of retreating, Brume has steadily worked her way back with determination.
Brume remains one of Nigeria’s most consistent and decorated athletes. With medals at every global championship in the past decade, Brume is no stranger to fighting her way to the top. Her focus now shifts to the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.
Tags: Ese Brume, 2025 World Championships, Tokyo, Annie Tagoe, Claire Bryant, Jasmine Moore, New York, Adidas Atlanta City Games.
