In the vibrant city of Glasgow, Burkina Faso’s renowned triple jump athlete, Hugues Fabrice Zango, clinched the gold medal at the World Athletics Indoor Championship held on Saturday.

The 30-year-old athlete emerged victorious in the final with a remarkable leap of 17.53 meters on his fifth attempt. Describing the win as profoundly significant for his country, Zango emphasized the importance of establishing notable figures in Burkina Faso’s sports landscape.

“We don’t have prominent names in sport in Burkina Faso. We need examples like me to truly bring something new to the sports scene in the country,” he expressed.

Zango highlighted the positive impact of his achievements, stating, “Since 2019, when I started winning some medals on the global stage, the Ministry of Sport began sponsoring young athletes.”

Aside from his sporting prowess, Zango, holding a Doctorate in Electrical Engineering, previously secured the title of world champion in outdoor triple jump in Hungary last August, achieving an impressive 17.64 meters.

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics marked a historic moment for Burkina Faso as Zango secured the country’s first-ever Olympic medal, claiming a bronze in the triple jump event.

Notably, Zango’s recent victory in 2024 marks his third success, setting a promising tone for his participation in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

With plans to conclude his athletic career post the Paris games, Zango harbors dreams of achieving the pinnacle—a gold medal—for Burkina Faso in the Olympics, solidifying his legacy as an inspiring figure in the nation’s sports history.