Olympic champion Malaika Mihambo starts the new season on May 8th. At the runners’ meeting in Pliezhausen, she is particularly looking forward to the support of the audience. The World and European Championships are coming up in the summer.
Before two absolute highlights await the Heidelberger with the World Championships in Eugene and the European Championships at home in Munich, Mihambo will start the season in Pliezhausen on May 8th. In an interview with SWR Sport, the long jump Olympic champion talks about her indoor season, the upcoming doubles from the World Cup and European Championship and her personal development. The 28-year-old also finds thoughtful words for the people at war in Ukraine.
SWR Sport: Malaika Mihambo, how is your condition a week before the start of the season in Pliezhausen?
Malaika Mihambo: The training is going very well and after the indoor season I have already completed two training camps. At first I was a beginner on cross-country skis in Balderschwang and did the basic endurance training there. I am currently still in the training camp in Belek on the Turkish Riviera. Here we train specifically for long jump in athletics.
SWR Sport: How satisfied are you with your short indoor season?
Malaika Mihambo: With only three competitions, the world annual best of 6.96 meters and the best championship performance for 27 years in Leipzig with 6.81 meters, my indoor season was very good.
SWR Sports: You skipped the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade. Nevertheless, you observed the performance there. What do you say about your competition?
Malaika Mihambo: Ivana Vuleta (Editor’s note: formerly Spanovic) delivered a strong result with 7.06 meters. The results were solid as expected, with no outliers. You have to consider the circumstances under which the World Cup took place. It was very difficult, especially for the Europeans.
SWR Sport: Are you thinking of the war in Ukraine?
Malaika Mihambo: Yes, this war accompanies me, takes me away inside. My thoughts are with the people of Ukraine. It’s hard to imagine how Ukrainian athletes feel. But maybe it was also particularly motivating for them, as could be seen with Yaroslava Machuchikh (high jump world champion) or Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk (triple jump runner-up world champion).
SWR Sport: You are an Olympic champion, world and European champion as well three times Sportswoman of the Year in Germany – do you feel that the sport and the successes have changed you?
Malaika Mihambo: I have remained the same malaika that I have always been. I’m good the way I am, regardless of whether I’m an Olympic champion or suffering defeats.
SWR Sport: In terms of sport, you have achieved everything. Where do you get your motivation for your further career?
Malaika Mihambo: I’m less interested in distance, performance and success than in improving and developing my movements. I want to grow as an athlete and as a person. That drives me every day.
SWR Sports: Training, training camps and competitions fill you up a lot. What do you do to balance your sport?
Malaika Mihambo: Meditation is still very important to me. Then I’ll focus on my studies in environmental sciences and I’m currently learning Spanish. Unfortunately, I don’t have much time for playing the piano at the moment.
SWR Sport: 2022 is a special season. The World Cup and the European Championship take place within four weeks in July and August. Isn’t that an extremely high requirement and what do you focus on?
Malaika Mihambo: I’m looking forward to the season. In 2016 we already had two major events in one year with the Olympic Games and the European Championships. I’m looking forward to both the World Championships in Eugene and the European Championships in Munich. But my heart beats very strongly for the home European Championships in Munich. Such a home EM has a very special meaning for me. The support from the home crowd is something very special.
SWR Sport: As in the previous year, you are celebrating your season debut at the Schönbuch Stadium in Pliezhausen. What memories do you have of it and what do you expect?
Malaika Mihambo: Last year I ran 150 and 300 meters in the “crooked routes” in Pliezhausen. The 150 suits me quite well, the 300 meters were very hard. This year, the 80 meters have been specifically included in the program for me. For a long jumper, however, that is still an over-distance, because my run-up is normally 40 meters long. Last year no spectators were allowed into the stadium, but the atmosphere was very nice and next week I’m looking forward to a competition in front of an audience.