NFL
By: Zachary Draves
She is a record-setting triple jumper destined for big things.
Already she belongs in the company of Bob Beamon, Jackie Joyner Kersee, and Carl Lewis.
Keturah Orji has a pedigree of excellence that will carry her to Tokyo this summer.
(Courtesy: USTFCCCA)
She triple jumped 14.71 m (48 ft 3 in) American record at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
That same year, she was named the Southeastern Conference outdoor Scholar-Athlete of the Year while she was at the University of Georgia.
At the 2018 US Outdoor Track and Field Championships, she triple jumped 14.59 m (47 ft 10+1⁄4 in) setting a US Championship triple jump record.
(Courtesy: Youtube)
That same year she was named the winner of the Female Bowerman, an award given to the most outstanding collegiate track & field athlete in the nation.
At the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, Keturah placed second in the long jump at 6.66 m (21 ft 10 in).
(Courtesy: NJ MileSplit)
In the midst of all the chaos and uncertainty that COVID has brought, Keturah is still looking ahead to what the games have in store even with restrictions in place such as not allowing outside spectators.
“Since there won’t be as many spectators, I am still looking forward to competing on the Olympic stage” she said.
“I am excited for the amount of attention that track and field gets.”
Keturah is also going in with a clear understanding of what it means to be on the Olympic stage that only a select few are able to experience.
(Courtesy: Zimbio)
“It is an honor and so many want to be in this position. It is an honor to be an Olympian” she said.
She is using that honorable status for the greater good and is proud to use her platform to speak out and call attention to social justice.
The IOC’s regressive Rule 50 that prohibits political protest and expression won’t stand in her way as she goes for gold with a sense of purpose and in an environment where her fellow athletes are sticking together.
“It is really important to use my status for not just sport” she said.
“I just think that it is amazing that we are moving forward and allowing athletes to express themselves for positive change.”
She also spoke to the importance of humanizing athletes, especially black athletes, who are too often commodified and commercialized as well as dehumanized when they do speak up.
The journey of Keturah Orji has been one of the amazing accomplishments and an unwavering desire to do more and say more.
She can be followed and supported through a variety of platforms.
Her Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages as well as her website where she regularly blogs and sells merchandise.
https://twitter.com/Keturahorji?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Greatness, grit, desire, and unabashed pride are just a few of the characteristics to describe Keturah Orji.
The best part is the best is yet to come.
