Ese Brume, the first African woman to clear the 7.00-meter barrier in long jumping, has distinguished herself as a superb athlete. And no great athlete can be great alone. They always need someone to back them up. So who is backing Brume up? None other than her coach, Kayode Yaya, who is a key person in her personal and professional life and the one who is responsible for her success. This piece examines Yaya’s significant contribution to Brume’s accomplishments and also their special bond off the track.

The 28-year-old long jumper from Nigeria, Brume, has a close bond with her coach. Their connection, developed over many years of commitment and effort, shows the value of support throughout an athlete’s career. For Brume, Kayode Yaya is more than simply a coach—he’s a father figure and “mentor.”

Meet Ese Brume’s coach Kayode Yaya

Kayode Yaya has a significant role in Ese Brume’s sporting career. He first noticed Brume’s talent in 2008, and that’s when their adventure started. Yaya studied civil engineering at the Federal University of Technology in Akure, Nigeria. He is also a certified coach by World Athletics and the IOC. Despite having a background in engineering, his love of sports drove him to become a coach and mold players like Brume.

Furthermore, Brume remembered their initial encounter in a heartfelt greeting note. “I remember meeting you for the first time in 2008 when you told me that I am talented and that I will do so great in track and field,” said Brume. Their time together commenced when Yaya invited her to join his squad a year later.

However, Yaya plays more than just a coaching function. According to Brume, “Those years of training and working with you meant more than you’ll ever know. You were not only my coach; you were one of my biggest role models.” Yaya’s commitment includes paying for training camps and challenges, along with taking Brume to and from practice.

Paris Olympic-bound Brume’s heartfelt message for coach

Brume keeps telling Yaya how much she appreciates his constant support as she gets ready for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. She highlighted the advice she got from him on a personal and professional level. “You taught me so much about life and the game of athletics,” Brume remarked, noting the twofold contribution Yaya made to her life.

Further, the connection is clear from Brume’s accomplishments. With a leap of 6.81 meters, she placed fifth in the long jump final while competing for Nigeria at the 2016 Olympic Games. With jumps of 6.91 and 6.97 meters, respectively, she earned a bronze medal in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha. These successes highlight Brume and Yaya’s productive collaboration.

Moreover, Yaya’s coaching philosophy is centered on helping athletes develop holistically. In his opinion, a coach needs to be involved in an athlete’s life in a variety of ways. “The coach acts as a parent, confidant, mentor, manager, and even social worker,” Yaya said. To guarantee optimal performance, he suggests the need to attend to every facet of an athlete’s lifestyle. Thus, Brume’s coach’s support continues to be a vital component of the path as she anticipates competing in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.