British long jumper smashed a British under-17 record this summer with 7.80m in Birmingham

At just 16 years old, Daniel Emegbor is redefining what’s possible on the long jump runway. With a powerful leap of 7.80m at last month’s English Schools Athletics Championships, he not only claimed gold, but etched his name into the record books twice – setting a British under-17 record and shattering a two-decade-old championship best.

The previous mark of 7.47m had been held since 2002 by Bernard Yeboah but Emegbor, who had already jumped 7.76m earlier this summer, arrived in Birmingham with the confidence that he could deliver.

This was his first English Schools victory and his success is down to more than just raw talent – it is the product of a well-rounded support system. He trains under the guidance of multiple coaches, including former international athlete and long-time AW contributor John Shepherd – a mentoring team that is clearly helping him thrive.

Now, Emegbor is aiming even higher. His next goal? Pulling on a Great Britain vest for the first time at this month’s European Under-20 Championships in Tampere.

How do you reflect on your first English Schools win?

I was in good shape going into it. I was just excited to show everyone what I could do. I was pretty happy with my first jump [7.42m] because it was close to my personal best, and then I just turned up the heat in the second round and I jumped 7.80m which was further than I'd ever jumped so I was really happy with it. I had a bit of cramp in my leg after that so I didn't want to risk anything and I saved myself for future competition this season.

On paper, I was the favourite so I knew that if I just trusted my training, believed in myself and executed on the day then I would be able to win. I saw that the record was within my reach, too, so I was even more excited to go and try my best to break it.

How did you first get into athletics?

I used to play football and then my dad thought I would be quite good at athletics so he recommended that I start it. I joined my local group, Harrow AC. I started off with triple jump and high jump initially and then I got a slight injury so it was recommended that I do long jump. I kept at it from then and my coaches have helped me improve so I give all credit to them.

I love the feeling of flying through the air. I find it so much fun. You can always improve with every jump so it motivates me more because you know you've got six chances to get better.

What does your training set-up look like?

I'm coached by Richard Carr and Rohan Samuel, and I train with them once or twice a week. I also train with John Shepherd once a week. John knows a lot and he has really helped me get to where I am now. I trust him and I’ve got to put all my faith in him.

With John, I usually do more technical coaching on my jumps but, with Richard, I do the physical aspects and the sprint training so I can keep my speed up. By myself, I usually do a gym session once or twice a week, as well as just keeping conditioned.

Who do you look up to?

I feel inspired by the long jump world record-holder, Mike Powell. I like his jumping style and I feel inspired to go and do the great things that he has done. I always watch what these professional guys do and I try to emulate it in what I do. It helps me improve because I'm watching the best and trying to do what they do and it seems to be working so far.

What would you go back and tell yourself when you first started?

To trust my coaching and to keep at it because, at the start, the progress might not be linear and you might not be improving straight away, but if you trust yourself and you keep working hard, then you can achieve whatever you want.

What are your next goals?

For the short term, I want to go out there on an international stage at the European Under-20 Championships. It will be my first time competing internationally and I want to show what I can do and do my best. It will mean a lot to earn a British vest. It will show that all my efforts and my training have been paying off. It will spur me on to keep working hard so I can achieve more in the future.

In the long term, I want to represent GB at international level when I’m a senior. I’d love to go to the world championships and the LA Olympics in 2028.