The best German long jumper this year is not Malaika Mihambo. At 6.91 meters, Mikaelle Assani has already met the World Cup standard. Mihambo does not have to do that, after her second world title last year she is automatically qualified for the world championships from August 19th to 27th. At the German championships in Kassel on Sunday, she must also defeat Assani if she wants to win the title for the seventh time.
“It’s a new feeling to be up there. I have to change my mind again and again,” said the 20-year-old from Baden-Baden this week to the media group “Münchner Merkur/TZ”.
“In the highlight competitions it was always said: You have to annoy the big ones. Now I’m somehow one of the big ones. I haven’t really realized that yet. It’s still a bit difficult for me to rethink,” revealed Assani.
Health break
The longest set so far was achieved by the third in the 2021 U20 European Championship on May 27 in Weinheim. So far this season, Mihambo has jumped 6.66 meters twice – at the meeting in Dessau, this distance was enough to win over Assani in the last attempt. Due to a health break, Mihambo has not yet reached her best level, but her mental strength has often helped her decisively in competitions.
“You can learn a lot from a top athlete like Malaika in terms of mental strength,” Assani said with respect. The competition inspires, but the personal contact is pleasant. “With Malaika, for example, I can talk about books, series or studies at competitions,” reported Assani. Despite recurring foot problems, she wants to try to further improve her level and also make the leap to the 2024 Olympics in Paris.