In a stunning display of athletic prowess, Mattia Furlani, a young Italian long jumper, solidified his status as one of the world’s top athletes by claiming the gold medal at the 2025 World Indoor Championships held in Nanjing, China. The 20-year-old achieved an impressive leap of 8.30 meters on his second attempt, edging out Jamaica's Wayne Pinnock, who took silver with a jump of 8.29 meters, and Australia’s Liam Adcock, who secured bronze with 8.28 meters. This victory marks Furlani's first gold in an international competition and adds to his notable achievements, including recent podium finishes at other significant championships.
Furlani’s journey to this success included a silver medal performance at the European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn earlier this month, a competition where he jumped 8.12 meters—a measurement just shy of the first-place jump of 8.13 meters by Bulgaria's Bozhidar Saraboyukov. With this latest triumph, he not only fulfilled a dream but also engaged in a fierce battle for every centimeter in the jump-off against Pinnock.
Interestingly, the Italian athlete had previously captured the spotlight during the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, where he earned a bronze medal, further solidifying his place in the track and field world. “[Furlani’s] leap of 8.30 meters was achieved with a series of strong jumps, including two others over 8 meters, showcasing his consistency and skill,” reported an athletics official.
The competition itself was electrifying, especially as Miltiadis Tentoglou, the reigning Olympic champion from Greece and a formidable competitor, finished in fifth place with a distance of 8.14 meters—far from his personal best and below Furlani's recent performances. Tentoglou's underwhelming performance left some fans stunned, given his previous accolades.
Furlani expressed his elation after the win, referring to the gold medal as “the dream I’ve always desired.” He added, “After the European Championships, I remained focused, believing until the end that I could compete with the best in the world and ultimately achieving this fantastic victory. Winning by a centimeter? Sometimes 'factor C' plays a role in my favor (laughs).”
He pointed out that there’s still room for improvement, particularly in his approach before jumping. “This is something extraordinary; it’s an honor, but there are many more steps ahead.” Furlani's aspirations don’t end here; he has set his sights on the upcoming World Athletics Championships scheduled in Tokyo from September 13-21, where he hopes to continue his successful streak.
The Italian track and field team also fielded athletes in the shot put event, although the results were less promising. Leonardo Fabbri finished just outside the podium in fourth place, with a throw of 21.36 meters, a notable improvement from his previous European Championships, where he failed to reach 20 meters due to a frustrating day. The shot put event saw New Zealand's Tom Walsh clinching gold with a throw of 21.65 meters. Roger Steen of America took silver with a throw of 21.62 meters, and Adrian Piperi also from the United States triumphed to secure bronze with 21.48 meters.
Zane Wier, the other Italian competitor in the shot put, placed eighth with a throw of 20.63 meters, indicating further potential for growth. Despite these mixed results, Italian athletes have reason to celebrate Furlani's remarkable achievement, which not only boosts morale but enhances Italy’s status in the athletics world.
The 2025 World Indoor Championships have become instrumental for Italy, showcasing the talent emerging in Italian athletics. Not only is Furlani the first Italian in history to win a world indoor gold medal in the men's long jump, but his success signals a bright future for Italian track and field. As Furlani remarked, “This is a step forward, and we will continue dreaming.”
