The men’s long jump final at the World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25 promises to be more than just a battle for medals – it’s a stage for rivalries and redemption.

Heading the field is Olympic bronze medallist Mattia Furlani, who will be eager to avenge his narrow defeat at the European Indoor Championships. In a dramatic showdown, Bulgaria’s Bozhidar Saraboyukov snatched the gold medal from Furlani in the final round by just 1cm – 8.13m to 8.12m.

Their rivalry dates back to the 2023 European U20 Championships, where Furlani edged Saraboyukov by the same margin – 8.23m to 8.22m – adding another layer of intensity to their upcoming clash in Nanjing. With pride, history and a world title on the line, both athletes will be determined to leave nothing to chance in their pursuit of global dominance.

The winning distance in the men's long jump at the Glasgow 2024 World Indoor Championships was 8.22m, a mark achieved by both two-time Olympic champion Miltiadis Tentoglou and Furlani. However, the Greek athlete claimed gold on countback, while Furlani settled for silver.

With the 2025 World Indoors around the corner, three athletes in the lineup have already surpassed 8.22m this season: Furlani (8.37m), 2019 world champion Tajay Gayle (8.34m) of Jamaica and Australia’s Oceanian champion Liam Adcock (8.33m). The question is, can this trio maintain their impressive form on the global stage, or will another contender emerge to challenge for the crown?

It’s been a relatively slow start to the season for the most decorated athlete in the field – world champion and six-time European gold medallist Tentoglou. The 27-year-old holds a season’s best of 8.05m, a modest mark by his high standards.

However, competing against a deep and competitive field at the WIC Nanjing 25 may provide the motivation the two-time world indoor champion needs to reignite his dominance and make a serious bid for the title.

Simon Ehammer, the bronze medallist from the 2022 World Championships, will compete in the long jump in Nanjing, bringing a season’s best of 8.20m. The Swiss record-holder across multiple events recently claimed silver in the heptathlon at the European Indoor Championships and will aim to deliver a formidable performance on the global stage.

The World Indoor Championships will mark the season opener for Paris Olympics silver medallist Wayne Pinnock. The Jamaican star is expected to use the competition as a benchmark to assess his readiness for the rest of the season.

African champion Cheswill Johnson recorded a season’s best of 8.17m in South Africa and will aim to surpass that mark at the World Indoor Championships.

US indoor champion William Williams (8.16m) and runner-up Cameron Crump (8.04m) will aim to make a strong impact at the World Indoor Championships. Others are China’s Shu Heng (8.12m), Japan’s Hibiki Tsuha (7.98m) and Gerson Balde of Portugal (8.11m).

Following a competition rule change approved by the World Athletics Council at its meeting in December, all 16 athletes will feature in the first three rounds of the final. The top 10 will then advance to compete in round four, which is two more athletes than the previous rules allowed, and the top eight then advance to round five. The top six, rather than the previous top eight, will compete in the sixth and final round.

Yemi Galadima for World Athletics

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Win probability: 1 Miltiadis Tentoglou (GRE) 31.9%, 2 Wayne Pinnock (JAM) 20.9%, 3 Mattia Furlani (ITA) 16.7%
(This win probability is powered entirely by data and driven by AI technology. More information)

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