The 2026 athletics calendar is set for an explosive start as Nigerian long jump sensation Ese Brume prepares to make her seasonal debut at the Absa Kip Keino Classic. Organizers of the Nairobi-based meet have officially listed the African icon as a marquee attraction for the high-profile gathering, which serves as a cornerstone of the World Athletics Continental Tour.
Scheduled for April 24 at the Nyayo National Stadium, this Gold-level fixture is poised to attract a premier field of international and regional talent. Competitors will descend upon the Kenyan capital to vie for crucial global ranking points and substantial purses in what is expected to be a fiercely contested environment.
For Brume, who is undisputed as the premier female long jumper on the continent, the Nairobi event marks a significant return to the sandpit. This appearance will be her first competitive outing since her last major appearance at the 2025 World Athletics Championships. Her presence is anticipated to elevate the prestige of the classic, providing a centerpiece for a weekend dedicated to elite track and field performances.
The Nigerian representative brings a formidable trophy cabinet to the Kenyan soil, cementing her status as a global powerhouse in the discipline. Her decorated career includes a bronze medal from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and a silver medal from the 2022 World Championships. Her sustained excellence is further evidenced by a 2019 World Championship bronze and a silver finish at the 2022 World Indoor Championships.
Within Africa, Brume’s authority remains unchallenged. She has secured four continental championships and a pair of gold medals at the African Games. Her versatility is equally evident in her Commonwealth Games history, where she claimed the top spot on the podium in both 2014 and 2022.
As the current holder of the African record with a monumental personal best of 7.17m, Brume arrives at the Kip Keino Classic not just to compete, but as the athlete to beat. Her performance in Nairobi will be closely monitored as a barometer for her form heading into the rest of the 2026 international circuit.
