Long jump Olympic champion Malaika Mihambo was eliminated from the indoor athletics meeting in Düsseldorf on Sunday (February 4, 2024) without a valid attempt. Bo Kanda Lita Baehre celebrated his comeback, but otherwise had little to laugh about.
One day after her 30th birthday, she had major problems with the run-up and did not hit the take-off board correctly in any of her three attempts. “It’s a shame it didn’t work out. It was also my fault”said Mihambo in an interview with Sportschau. She then also talked about technical processes, such as a “Startup pattern”which wasn’t good.
This puts an end to their successful streak in Düsseldorf after three wins. “I still have two competitions left to do better”said Mihambo, who had previously been injured for a long time. For them, the indoor season is just a stopover in the Olympic year. Mikaelle Assani from Baden-Baden came in first with 6.64 meters.
Bo Kanda Lita Baehre fails at the initial height
Six months after a meniscus injury, pole vaulter Bo Kanda Lita Baehre’s comeback in his hometown didn’t go well. The 24-year-old European Championship runner-up did not reach the initial height of 5.40 meters.
“It’s my first competition since the injury. The fact that I can stand here is a big step. I’m grateful for that.”said Lita Baehre in the Sportschau interview. The winner was Pole Piotr Lisek with a jump of 5.75 meters ahead of two-time world champion Sam Kendricks from the USA, who was the same height.
Burghardt sprints to third place
Over 60 meters, European relay champion Alexandra Burghardt (Burghausen) came third in 7.20 seconds. The fastest sprinter was Jamaican Shashalee Forbes (7.11). In the men’s category, multiple German champion Kevin Kranz (Wetzlar/6.61) came second behind Emmanuel Matadi (USA/6.57).