analysis
Olympic champion Malaika Mihambo can do anything between gold and sixth place at the World Championships in Eugene. In the high jump, half the world treats the Ukrainian Yaroslava Mahuchich Gold. The jump preview by ARD athletics expert Frank Busemann.
long jump
For years there has only been one winner in the women’s long jump: Malaika Mihambo. Although she appears to be subscribed to Gold, every win is hard-fought and well-deserved. With a leap over seven meters to start the season, she has once again registered her ambitions for gold, but this year it will be a very tight case again, in which everything can come out between gold and sixth place in the end. I’m afraid it might not be enough in Eugene. But, okay, luckily Malaika jumps there and not Frank.
A decathlete as the best in the pit
A decathlete tops the world annual best in men’s long jump. Or is he a long jumper who has decathlon as a hobby? Simon Ehammer, the Swiss record holder in all disciplines, is concentrating on the long jump in Eugene. Smart boy. What’s the point of a top ten finish if you can also have the title?
Okay, the decathlon is the decathlon, a discipline for kings and their princes, but a medal is a medal. And he could. He delivers long jumps at will and can also jump 8.13 meters a week after a decathlon. This is cringe. Hollodadihi!
Anyone who jumps 8.30 m comes far ahead
But the Olympic champion Miltiadis Tentoglou will know how to evade the attack of the young Swiss with wide counterattacks. With a bit of luck, there is even a chance of a precious metal for the second row this year. Anyone who jumps 8.30 meters in the final is way ahead.
A look at the entry lists always shows impressive jumps by the protagonists, but none of them are worth anything. They are often jumped on some kind of rumble meadow and in ten competitions with 60 jumps one slips out. It is more revealing to look at how far the boys jump at the big meetings. That’s where it counts. And in Eugene they have only a couple of tries. On a facility that is the same for everyone. But we like to be surprised and the adrenaline of the big competition can also compensate for the lack of gradient.
high jump
Those were beautiful pictures in Tokyo. Gianmarco Tamberi and Mutaz Essa Barshim – two Olympic champions in one discipline. In all likelihood, that will not happen in Eugene. If you look at the world leaderboard, that could set a precedent.
There are twelve athletes with 2.30 meters alone. Three inches behind the best. So it is important to take everything possible in the first try. Luckily, the European Champion Mateusz Przybylko and Tobias Potye also belong to this illustrious circle of those who want to qualify for the final in close proximity. The world champion has to jump the world annual best and for the German boys, qualification is everything.
Half the world begrudges Ukrainian Mahuchich gold
In the women’s category, the gold medal is firmly in Ukrainian hands and half the world begrudges the athletes around Yaroslava Mahuchich. The Russian series winner Mariya Lasitskene is not at the start for known reasons. In Stockholm, however, the Ukrainian showed nerves for the first time and dropped out with 1.89 meters. But that won’t happen to her a second time in Eugene. Fortunately, Marie-Laurence Jungfleisch already jumped her qualification level last year. In 2022 it doesn’t really want to work out. Her goal can only be to jump the best performance of the season.
pole vault
Mondo Duplantis or Mondo Duplantis? The group of favorites narrows to just these types as the world record holder gets older. That’s what counts. The sport of the guys. They fly through the air with ease and treat each other fairly. Beautiful to look at, in every respect.
At the age of 18 they sometimes still had the Swede under control, but now he has a level that is second to none at all times and everywhere. Only sawing his baton, secretly misplacing his run-up mark or being locked in the toilet could limit him marginally on the way to the title.
Is Duplanti jumping world record or world record?
But nobody does. They’re all fine guys. And so the best wins. again. Here the question will be: is he jumping a world record or is he jumping a world record? And how many athletes are there at 6.00 meters?
The German champion Bo Kanda Lita Baehre shone in his victory in Berlin with 5.90 meters. At the right time in the right place at the right height – that brings self-confidence and a good feeling. However, he is already familiar with contact to the very top.
In Doha three years ago he finished fourth. If he repeats his performance from the Germans, it could work again, especially since the Americans only bring Christopher Nilsen with them as a serious contender for a medal. For Oleg Zernikel it will be about jumping on free and enjoying the competition. A placement in the top twelve could work. Torben Blech was happy about a replacement ticket for Eugene.
Morris and her silverware shop
Sandi Morris has to judge the women. Finally. You’d think she’d have a silverware shop, as many times as she’s brought home medals of that color. Three times someone was better than her. Until now.
As the world’s best, she has to approach it with American confidence and take the gold with her. More than 4.80 meters are needed and she can do that. Compatriot and Olympic champion Katie Nageotte has massive problems in her Achilles tendon after her victory in Tokyo and hopes to get something going again in Eugene, which will be difficult.
triple jump
The men’s triple jump is held without defending champion Christian Taylor in the final. Also a rather unusual picture, but with him it is a miracle that he can be there again after suffering a torn Achilles tendon.
Otherwise, the main focus is again on Olympic champion Pedro Pichardo and indoor world record holder Hugues Fabrice Zango. From a German point of view, we are of course hoping for big jumps from Max Hess, who wants to find his old form after health problems. Reaching the final would be a great success for Hess.
Rojas or nothing
The only question for women will be: world record or not? Yulimar Rojas determines the scene as he pleases. First she comes, then nothing for a long time, then a little air and then the others. Exhausting and demotivating.
But the claim of the assembled world elite after Rojas is not first place or a world record. What counts here is: second is the first winner. Two competitions in one. Most recently, Europe’s best Neele Eckhardt-Noack came up trumps. Can she bring her skills to the pit at the right moment? Then it could go into the top eight.
And what does the novice Jessie Maduka do? The motto here must be to be there. Compete with the best in the business and gain international experience. Jumping with the spirit from Hayward Field best performance – more is not possible.