Mike Edwards (high jumper)
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Michael Olayemi Edwards[citation needed] |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Born | July 11, 1990 Manchester, England |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event | High jump |
| Club | Birchfield Harriers |
| Coached by | Cliff Rovelto |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal bests |
|
Mike Edwards (born 11 July 1990) is a British-Nigerian retired high jumper who competed internationally for Nigeria and Great Britain. He is a multiple-time national champion and has represented Nigeria at major international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and African Championships in Athletics.
Early life and education
[edit]Edwards was born in Manchester, England, to a Jamaican father and Nigerian mother.[1] At the age of 10, he moved to the United States, settling in Florida. He attended Poinciana High School, where he excelled in athletics, particularly the high jump, clearing over 7 feet during his high school career. He continued his athletic development at the University of Alabama and later at the University of Louisville, before transferring to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. At Embry-Riddle, Edwards won both the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Indoor and Outdoor National Championships in the high jump in 2013, setting school records of 2.18 meters indoors and 2.16 meters outdoors. [2]
Career
[edit]Edwards initially competed for Great Britain, finishing ninth at the 2009 European Athletics Junior Championships with a clearance of 2.11 meters. In April 2018, he switched allegiance to Nigeria and began representing the country in international competitions.[3] That year, he placed fourth at the African Championships in Athletics in Asaba with a jump of 2.15 meters. [4]
In 2022, Edwards won the silver medal at the African Championships in Port Louis, Mauritius, clearing 2.15 meters. This achievement marked Nigeria's first medal in the men's high jump at the African Championships since 1996. [5]
At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Edwards represented Nigeria and finished sixth in the men's high jump final with a clearance of 2.19 meters.[6]
Edwards is also a two-time Nigerian national champion, securing titles in 2021 and 2022. In 2022, he clinched the gold medal at the Nigerian World Championships/Commonwealth Games Trials in Benin City with a season's best of 2.20 meters. [7]
In 2024, Edwards made his boxing debut and defeated Jake Cornish by unanimous decision.[8]
In 2019, Edwards was a contestant on Big Brother Naija season 4 and finished as runner-up.[8]
Personal bests
[edit]- Outdoor high jump: 2.25 m (Birmingham, 19 July 2015)
- Indoor high jump: 2.22 m (Hustopeče, 1 February 2014)
Personal life
[edit]Beyond athletics, Edwards is an entrepreneur, founding Aireyys, a company specializing in cigars and grooming products. He is married to British athlete Perri Shakes-Drayton.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ Henderson, Jason (27 February 2018). "High jumper Mike Edwards celebrates in style". Athletics Weekly.
- ^ "Remember When-sdays: Mike Edwards, 2013 Indoor & Outdoor High Jump". Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ^ Okusan, Olalekan (9 October 2018). "IAAF clears Edwards to represent Nigeria". Sporting Life.
- ^ "Mike Edwards (Leichtathlet, 1990)". Wikipedia. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ^ "Edwards wins Nigeria's 1st African Champs medal in men's High Jump since 1996". Making of Champions. 12 June 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ^ "Mike Edwards - Athlete Profile". The Power of 10. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ^ "Edwards & Nnamdi retain High Jump & Javelin titles at Nigerian Trials". Making of Champions. 26 June 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ^ a b Opanuga, Jimisayo (2024-09-01). "Ex-BBNaija Star, Mike Edwards, wins professional boxing debut". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ^ "Former Olympian Perri Shakes-Drayton shares top training tips for new runners". The Irish News. 2024-03-18. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
External links
[edit]- 1990 births
- Living people
- Nigerian male high jumpers
- British male high jumpers
- Athletes (track and field) at the 2022 Commonwealth Games
- Commonwealth Games competitors for Nigeria
- University of Alabama alumni
- University of Louisville alumni
- Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University alumni
- Sportspeople from Manchester