Nigeria's high jumper eyes world crown

LAGOS, April 15 (Xinhua) -- New Nigeria high jump record holder Doreen Amata said breaking the current African record is just an aspect of what she is looking forward to attaining in the days ahead, local media reported Tuesday.

For her, the ultimate goal is to shatter the world record in the sport, and this she says she "definitely achievable."

An undergraduate of Lagos State University, Amata scaled a height of 1.90m to win the gold medal at the 9th All Africa Games in Algiers. Her new height of 1m90 is a new national record in the event.

Speaking to the press after her last weekend's feat at the Nigeria African Athletics Championship trials held at the Teslim Balogun stadium last Saturday, the reigning All Africa Games high jump queen said it would be out of place for her to dream about just becoming African champion when she has the capacity to become world champion."

"I am actually not looking forward to breaking the African record. Instead, I'm looking forward to breaking the world record, and I know I can do it," Amata added.

She, however, said determination and hard work on her part were not enough to see her through without tremendous backing from sports authorities.

"I'm always prepared to do my best with the help of God, but the Federal Government through the relevant bodies should always be there support us (athletes)."

"It feels good to erase the former national record and set a new one" in the process, "I hope to repeat the performance at the African Championship, I hope to excel and I'm working hard towards that" she stated.

The one-day will be used in selecting Nigeria's flag bearers to the 16th CAA African Athletics Championships in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia early next month.