At the European Indoor Championships held on March 8, 2025, Malaika Mihambo, the reigning Olympic champion, found herself battling expectations as she finished with a bronze medal in the long jump after some unexpected challenges. Despite being the world-leader earlier this season, Mihambo's performance raised eyebrows due to her struggle to find rhythm throughout the competition.
Entering the event, Mihambo had set high expectations for herself following her recent jump of 7.07 meters at the indoor meet in Karlsruhe. This feat had already exceeded the long-standing record previously held by Heike Drechsler, which only fueled the anticipation surrounding her performance at the championships held in Apeldoorn, Netherlands.
Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Mihambo’s first jump recorded 6.45 meters, which placed her far behind the leaders. After two more invalid attempts, the pressure intensified. Her coach, Ulli Knapp, offered insight after observing her struggles: "Nach dem Einspringen hatte ich das Gefühl, dass Malaika definitiv sieben meter springen kann. Sie hatte eine sehr gute Form, war fit, hat aber im Wettkampf nicht zu ihrem Rhythmus gefunden."
After facing substantial challenge, Mihambo managed to tap her potential just when it mattered most. On her final attempt, she soared to 6.88 meters, which propelled her from fifth position to securing the bronze medal. The final moment was intense, and Mihambo expressed relief at still being on the podium, stating, "Es hat heute leider nicht ganz gepasst. Aber ein dritter Platz ist auch was Gutes."
Gold went to Italy’s Larissa Iapichino, who jumped 6.94 meters, showcasing her exceptional talent. Switzerland's Annik Kälin took silver with 6.90 meters, making her also stand out among the competition.
Notably, Mihambo was not the only German athlete to face hurdles at the championships. Mikaelle Assani, her compatriot and competitor, suffered a notable injury during her final jump, falling and requiring medical attention. Despite finishing eighth with 6.32 meters, the chaotic scene heightened emotional stakes of the competition.
Mihambo reflected on her experience and emphasized the lessons learned: "Ich habe mir den Wettkampf ganz anders vorgestellt. Auf der einen Seite hat das Quäntchen Glück gefehlt, auf der anderen Seite konnte ich die Puzzleteile nicht so zusammensetzen, wie ich es mir vorgestellt hatte. Eine Medaille ist eine Medaille." Though her bronze medal marked another achievement, it also represented Mihambo's continued struggles to capture her first indoor title.
Looking forward, Mihambo has now set her eyes on the Hallen-WM scheduled to take place from March 21 to 23, 2025, where she will not be competing. She is instead focusing on her outdoor season, with hopes to reclaim her top form by September at the World Championships set to be held in Tokyo. "Nach Apeldoorn werde ich erstmal eine lange Trainingsphase einlegen," she announced, indicating her determination to improve for future competitions.
Mihambo’s performance, along with those of her fellow athletes including Max Heß, who earned silver with 17.43 meters, and Till Steinforth, who claimed bronze and, again, showcased the resilience and depth of talent within the German athletics scene. While the Hallen-EM may not have awarded Mihambo the gold she yearned for, it reinforced her character and dedication to the sport, ensuring her place among the elite athletes as she charts her path forward.