Olympic Games-bound Zimbabwean shines in United States

HARARE, June 16 (Xinhua) -- There is no stopping for Olympic Games-bound Zimbabwean long jumper Ngoni Makusha in the United States.

Makusha, who is on an athletics scholarship at Florida State University, set a new mark in his favourite event when he earned his college their first individual crown at the NCAA outdoor track and field championships at Des Moines in Iowa with a monstrous 8.30 meters leap in the long jump finals last Thursday.

According to reports of local media The Herald on Monday, this was the fourth-best jump in the world this year, the best in Florida State University's history and the best Drake Stadium has ever seen.

Makusha's latest performance sent tongues wagging in Iowa and Bob Braman, the FSU head coach, could not contain his delight after watching one of his athletes stealing the show on Day Two of the competition.

"Not only is Ngoni winning huge, but it gives us a big boost," said Braman.

Makusha, who was recently included in the Zimbabwe team for this year's Olympic Games in Beijing, China, in August, stole the spotlight away from Florida State's talented cast of All-American veterans with his first leap of the day, 8.25m mark and that was sure to bring him the gold.