Malaika Mihambo is world champion in long jump. The German won at the World Athletics Championships gold thanks to an outstanding third attempt on the width of 7.30 meters. Mihambo had already entered the competition as world best of the year with 7.16 meters so far and was considered a clear favorite. After the victory for decathlete Niklas Kaul, it was the second gold for the DLV at this World Cup.
Maryna Bech-Romantschuk of Ukraine (6.92) and Nigerian Ese Brume (6.91) behind her had no chance - Mihambo triumphed with the biggest lead in the history of the World Cup.
The 25-year-old initially had more problems than expected. In the first attempt Mihambo landed already at 6.52 m, but she was clearly jumped off the board. The second attempt was invalid - but then she had found her timing. Mihambo sailed in the third round at 7.30 m, as far as never before. Also at the European Championships in Berlin last year she had made the title with her third jump.
"Now I'm actually sure that nothing can happen anymore, because a miracle would have to happen, that this will go wrong," said her coach Ralf Weber on ZDF. Mihambo improved behind Drechsler (7.48) in second place of the "eternal" German leaderboard, only US icon Jackie Joyner-Kersee jumped in their title wins in 1987 (7.36) and 1991 (7.32) continue at a World Cup as Mihambo.
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