Furlani, 20, leaps to world long jump gold

Agency :

Italy’s Mattia Furlani underlined his status as the coming man in long jump when he won the world title with a personal best leap of 8.39 metres on Wednesday, as big favourite Miltiadis Tentoglou failed to make it to the second round of jumps.

The 20-year-old Furlani, the world indoor champion, became the youngest and first Italian winner of the title after speeding down the runway and soaring into the humid Tokyo night on his fifth attempt.

Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle, world champion six years ago and bronze medallist in 2023, took silver with 8.34, ahead of China’s Shi Yuhao (8.33).
Gayle, who has had a torrid time with injury, opened up with an impressive 8.33, which was matched by Shi. The Jamaican then edged one cm clear with an 8.34 in the fourth round.
Switzerland’s Simon Ehammer was sitting in third with 8.30 with Furlani, who had two no-jumps in his first three efforts, fourth on a best of 8.22.

However, he seemed to find some extra speed for his fifth attempt and nobody could challenge it in the final round.
“This is a most special evening. I worked so hard and put so much determination into getting a medal,” Furlani said.