Samson Idiata (born 23 January 1988 in Ewu[1]) is a Nigerian high jumper and long jumper.[2]
He took the bronze medal at the 2003 All-Africa Games, and later finished fifth at the 2006 African Championships and tenth at the 2007 All-Africa Games. He later switched to long jump. In this event he has finished eighth at the 2010 African Championships.
His personal best was 2.15 metres, first achieved in October 2003 in Hyderabad and later equalled once. In long jump his personal best is 8.00 metres, achieved in May 2013 in Castellón.[2]
He was the gold medallist in the long jump at the 2015 African Games, but was stripped of this title after failing a drug test for clenbuterol.[3] He was banned for four years, until 15 September 2019.[4]
Competition record
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Representing  Nigeria | |||||
| 2003 | All-Africa Games | Abuja, Nigeria | 3rd | High jump | 2.10 m |
| Afro-Asian Games | Hyderabad, India | 2nd | High jump | 2.15 m | |
| 2006 | African Championships | Bambous, Mauritius | 5th | High jump | 2.15 m |
| 2007 | All-Africa Games | Algiers, Algeria | 10th | High jump | 2.10 m |
| 2010 | African Championships | Nairobi, Kenya | 8th | Long jump | 7.51 m |
| 2014 | Commonwealth Games | Glasgow, United Kingdom | 14th (q) | Long jump | 7.57 m |
| African Championships | Marrakech, Morocco | 5th | Long jump | 7.78 m | |
| 2015 | African Games | Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo | – | Long jump | DQ |