Malaika Mihambo in the Diamond League: She flew further than when she won the Olympics

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Malaika Mihambo at a track and field meeting in Birmingham

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BEN STANSALL / AFP

Olympic champion Malaika Mihambo has made a promising start to the world and European championship year.

The 28-year-old long jumper from LG Kurpfalz won the Diamond League meeting in Birmingham with 7.09 meters in the fourth attempt.

In the last attempt she again stayed over the seven meter mark with 7.06 meters.

Mihambo has not started an outdoor season better in recent years.

Before her 2019 World Cup victory in Doha/Qatar, she had started the season at 6.81 meters, before the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo she had come 6.68 meters.

"I'm happy with the start," said Mihambo.

"And I'm glad it's going that way again." At the Tokyo Games, the three-time "Sportswoman of the Year" won gold with 7.00 meters.

Her preparation for the Olympic Games a year ago was not optimal, but she was considered the top favorite in Tokyo and was under pressure.

Last year, Mihambo spoke in a SPIEGEL interview about the time around the Olympics in Tokyo - "she was never as exhausted as after these games" back then.

Mihambo had secured the 2019 world title with 7.30 meters.

Her big goals for the season are the World Championships from July 15th to 24th in Eugene and the European Championships at home from August 15th to 21st in Munich.

jan/dpa