Malaika Mihambo after new long jump rules: It’s interesting, but some improvement is needed

The Olympic, world and European long jump champion Malaika Mihambo won the first experimental competition from a 40-centimeter take-off-zone in Dusseldorf with 6.87m. Dutchwoman Pauline Hondema was second with 6.68m and Plamena Mitkova was third with 6.67m.

The standings according to the normal rules took on a completely different direction – Pauline Hondema wins with 6.65m, Anna Matuszewicz (Poland) comes second with 6.40m, Malaika Mihambo is third with 6.39m and Plamena Mitkova is fourth with 6.34m.

“I think it’s interesting, but some improvement is needed. There were a few problems with the measurement”, said Malaika Mihambo after the event. “But overall the idea is quite nice to have the full zone because the whole foot doesn’t fit on the traditional board. I found it quite exciting”, added she.

However, most long jump competitors have strongly opposed this innovation, which is currently only experimental.

Malaika Mihambo is one of the best long jumping athletes nowadays, winning the gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She also has gold medals from the 2019 Doha and 2022 Eugene World Championships, as well as 2018 Berlin and 2024 Rome European Championships.