logo
A step too far? Experimental long jump change makes its debut at ISTAF indoor meet

A step too far? Experimental long jump change makes its debut at ISTAF indoor meet

Yahoo09-02-2025
DÜSSELDORF, Germany (AP) — World Athletics' experimental change to the long jump made its debut at the ISTAF indoor meet on Sunday when two-time world champion Malaika Mihambo won under the new rule.
Mihambo jumped 6.87 meters on her fourth attempt in the absence of most of her international rivals, adding to the German's wins at meets in Dortmund and Karlsruhe this year.
It was her first win using a new-look take-off zone rather than the take-off board that has been the norm in this event. Sunday marked the first time the rule was tested on a larger stage, with its proponents saying it will cut down on the number of fouls.
'The momentum is much better, as if you're jumping with just half a foot from the board,' Mihambo said of the new take-off area.
Sweet spot
The take-off zone is 40 centimeters long, compared to the take-off board's 20, and every jump from the zone is measured from the athlete's take-off point with the aid of cameras, as opposed to the traditional method of measuring jumps from the end of the board. The change eliminates some of the art and science of hitting the sweet spot on the board at top speed for a far leap.
Distances were also measured according to the traditional method from the end of the board for the official world rankings. Dutch athlete Pauline Hondema jumped furthest using the traditional measurement with a jump of 6.65, ahead of Poland's Anna Matuszewicz (6.40). Mihambo was third with her only valid jump under the previous system of 6.39.
Like Mihambo, her coach, Uli Knapp, was also in favor of the new rule.
'It was very exciting for the spectators because there were far fewer invalid jumps,' Knapp said. 'It makes the competition more entertaining. I'm open for changes, just like Malaika.'
Many long jumpers are unhappy about the proposed change.
___
AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports
The Associated Press
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Aaron Rodgers intercepted on first pass in rough start to Steelers training camp
Aaron Rodgers intercepted on first pass in rough start to Steelers training camp

New York Post

time20 minutes ago

  • New York Post

Aaron Rodgers intercepted on first pass in rough start to Steelers training camp

This wasn't the Steelers start Aaron Rodgers likely envisioned. Pittsburgh's new star quarterback was intercepted on his first throw Thursday at training camp in Latrobe, Pa., with linebacker Patrick Green picking off a pass intended for wide receiver DK Metcalf. 'It's good to get that out the way,' Rodgers said, as covered by ESPN. 'Anybody that's watched me practice over the years, you like to try certain throws at certain times, and anybody that's watched me in the games knows I've been pretty stellar taking care of the football over the years.' Advertisement 5 Aaron Rodgers throws a pass during training camp on July 24, 2025. AP Rodgers, who agreed to a one-year, $13.65 million contract with the Steelers in June after a lengthy saga, eventually connected with Metcalf during the 90-minute practice session, along with wideout Scotty Miller and tight end Darnell Washington, but did not toss any touchdowns, per the report. Advertisement 'DK and I have worked out in the offseason together, got a good relationship,' the four-time league MVP said. 'We talked about a lot of football stuff. We FaceTime, we texted during the offseason after many camps, so we've got a good relationship. It's going to just keep on growing.' Much like Rodgers, 41, Metcalf also arrived in Pittsburgh this offseason after a trade with the Seahawks, with whom he earned two Pro Bowl nods. 5 DK Metcalf (4) and Aaron Rodgers during training camp on July 24, 2025. AP 5 The four-time league MVP signed a one-year contract with the Steelers in June 2025. AP Advertisement The Steelers subsequently signed the 27-year-old receiver to a five-year, $150 million contract extension. Pittsburgh has been loading up this offseason as it looks to win its first playoff game since January 2017 and contend for a championship. Just last month, the Steelers acquired Super Bowl-winning cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith from the Dolphins in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. 5 The pass is intercepted on the right side of the field. @NFLonFox/X Advertisement 5 Aaron Rodgers has hinted the upcoming season will likely be his last. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect The team went 10-7 last season with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson under center. Rodgers, coming off two unspectacular seasons with the Jets, has hinted this upcoming season will be his last. 'I'm pretty sure this is it, you know, that's why we just did a one-year deal. Steelers didn't need to put any extra years on that or anything,' he said in June on 'The Pat McAfee Show.' It's been an offseason of change for Rodgers, who confirmed earlier this summer he's been married for a 'couple of months.' The Super Bowl-winning quarterback was involved with a woman named Brittani as of December 2024. Advertisement The Steelers open the season on the road against Rodgers' ex-Jets team on Sunday, Sept. 7.

Daniil Medvedev won a US Open and made 5 other hard-court Slam finals, so this is his time to shine

time2 hours ago

Daniil Medvedev won a US Open and made 5 other hard-court Slam finals, so this is his time to shine

WASHINGTON -- WASHINGTON (AP) — Daniil Medvedev figures this is his time to shine: He loves playing tennis on hard courts like those used at the D.C. Open. And he loves the U.S. Open, which is just a month away, in particular. Doesn't matter what else he's done this season or how things ended for him at the Australian Open, French Open or Wimbledon. He's reached six Grand Slam finals in his career — all on hard courts. 'Usually, this is the most important part of the season for me,' Medvedev said in an interview in Washington, where he was scheduled to play Corentin Moutet in the quarterfinals on Friday. 'And this year, it's really important for me, because I didn't have the best year. I had a lot of time after Wimbledon, so I'm feeling ready and I feel in good shape." After dropping his opening set at the D.C. Open this week against big-serving Reilly Opelka, Medvedev took the next four sets he played at an event where he was the runner-up in 2019. What works so well for the 29-year-old Russian on hard courts? 'A lot of different things. My ball goes through the air the most. My serve goes faster. And this year, the courts seem pretty fast. On the ATP lately, the courts seem to only get slower and slower. But here it's super fast. I like the way it plays,' said Medvedev, who has been ranked No. 1 and is No. 14 this week, his lowest spot in more than six years. 'It's one thing to like the way it plays and it's another thing to win. But I do feel like I can do big things.' He certainly has in the past. Any list would have to start with his championship at the 2021 U.S. Open, where his victory in the final prevented Novak Djokovic from completing the first calendar-year Grand Slam by a man since Rod Laver in 1969. Medvedev was the runner-up to Rafael Nadal in New York in 2019 — who could forget the back-and-forths with spectators that year? — and then to Djokovic in 2023. Medvedev also participated in three finals at the Australian Open, losing to Djokovic in 2021, to Nadal in 2022 and to current No. 1 Jannik Sinner in 2024. He's twice been a semifinalist on Wimbledon's grass, and even made it to the quarterfinals at the French Open on red clay, his least favorite surface. This time around, Medvedev bowed out in the second round of the Australian Open in January, and then the first round of both the French Open in May and Wimbledon in June. He hadn't lost consecutive first-round matches at majors since 2017 — in his first two appearances at those events. Asked whether he tends to dwell on that sort of thing or tries to forget it, Medvedev said he would put himself 'kind of in the middle.' 'It does bother me,' he said, thinking back to his 7-6 (2), 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2 setback against 64th-ranked Benjamin Bonzi at the All England Club. 'Like after Wimbledon, I was sitting there, and I actually felt like I didn't play that bad. And you're losing (in the) first round. You know that the guy is probably going to lose in the second or third round — he did lose in the second round. You're like, 'Damn, I didn't play that bad and I'm losing first round of a Grand Slam, second time in a row.'' Medvedev said he got over it, in part, by heading to Ibiza for a couple of days of relaxing on the beach and having fun. And then it was time to get back to work — with a positive mindset. 'I know that when I come back to this level, I can beat anyone. And so that's where the optimism is coming from,' he said. 'Just work hard and try to find back this rhythm, this level, and then results can come and rankings can come.'

Hansi Flick in last-minute change of plans for Barcelona's pre-season tour
Hansi Flick in last-minute change of plans for Barcelona's pre-season tour

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Hansi Flick in last-minute change of plans for Barcelona's pre-season tour

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has altered his plans when it comes to the club's upcoming pre-season tour of Asia. That's according to Blaugrana insider , who has on Wednesday provided an insight into the situation. Barca, for those not aware, are primed to board a flight to Japan on Thursday. As much comes with a view to ramping up preparations for the new campaign, by way of a warm weather training camp, and a trio of friendly fixtures. Originally, Hansi Flick's plan was to call upon a list of 26 players for the tour, from a group of 36 called up for the start of pre-season last week. As alluded to above, however, over recent days, Barcelona's headmaster has altered his plans. As per a report from AS: 'The German coach's initial plan was to take a maximum of 26 players on the Asian tour, although, according to AS, everything indicates that the Blaugrana expedition will ultimately have 30.' Of the first-team players in Catalunya's capital, only Marc André Ter Stegen, Oriol Romeu and Pau Víctor are expected to miss out. Conor Laird – GSFN

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store