Dwight Phillips flies to 8.74m at the 2009 Prefontaine Classic (© Kirby Lee)
After a largely forgettable 2008 season for the men’s Long Jump the event has exploded into life this year led chiefly by the efforts the ‘comeback kid’ Dwight Phillips (USA).
Phillips, the World champion in 2003 and 2005, has endured three troublesome years until a spectacular return to form this year at the age of 31. Phillips leapt to a monster 8.74m in Eugene – the longest leap in 15 years to move up to joint fourth on the all-time lists – and has consistently jumped beyond 8.50m. He has shed 25lbs in weight and is reaping the rewards of linking up with a new coach, the vastly experienced Loren Seagrave. Phillips has even talked boldly of attacking the 18-year world record of Mike Powell and will start favourite to add a third world title.
His main opposition is likely to come from the defending champion and reigning Olympic champion Irving Saladino.
The Panamanian has competed sparingly this season and although he leapt to a mightily impressive 8.63m - to finish second behind Phillips in Eugene – he would have liked a higher win ratio than one in four competitions this year.
Saladino, though, is the defending World champion and will not concede his title without a fight.
Olympic silver medalist Godfrey Mokoena has also enjoyed a wonderfully consistent year. The South African has suffered just two defeats in the outdoor season and an area record of 8.50m in Madrid marks him down as a genuine medal contender in Berlin.
He has proved a man for the big occasion before – he is the reigning World indoor champion – and he is more than capable of putting a dent in the hopes of Phillips and Saladino.
Sebastian Bayer of Germany provided one of the most memorable moments of the indoor season with a stunning 8.71m leap to land the European indoor title. Many believed his huge improvement in Turin was simply a freak but an outdoor PB of 8.49m at the German Championships proved it was no fluke. However, Bayer has been hugely inconsistent and with just one other leap this season in excess of 8.00m it remains to be seen how he will fare in front of his passionate home fans in Berlin.
Australia launched a two-pronged medal assault with some optimism after enjoying a breakthrough season in the event. Mitchell Watt, aged just 21, has been a huge find, leaping to a personal best of 8.43m in Rethimno. His compatriot Fabrice Lapierre leapt to a windy 8.57m to win in Madrid and set a PB of 8.35m at the same meeting to hint at his credentials.
Salim Sdiri, the European indoor bronze medalist, jumped to a lifetime best of 8.42 in June and could also be a danger for France as could Morocco’s Yahyn Berrabah, who set a national record of 8.38m earlier this season.
Other names keen to make their mark include Cuba’s Ibrahim Camejo (8.30m), second-string American Brian Johnson (8.28m), Great Britain’s Chris Tomlinson (8.23m) and Louis Tsatoumas of Greece (8.21m).
Steve Landells for the IAAF
Phillips, the World champion in 2003 and 2005, has endured three troublesome years until a spectacular return to form this year at the age of 31. Phillips leapt to a monster 8.74m in Eugene – the longest leap in 15 years to move up to joint fourth on the all-time lists – and has consistently jumped beyond 8.50m. He has shed 25lbs in weight and is reaping the rewards of linking up with a new coach, the vastly experienced Loren Seagrave. Phillips has even talked boldly of attacking the 18-year world record of Mike Powell and will start favourite to add a third world title.
His main opposition is likely to come from the defending champion and reigning Olympic champion Irving Saladino.
The Panamanian has competed sparingly this season and although he leapt to a mightily impressive 8.63m - to finish second behind Phillips in Eugene – he would have liked a higher win ratio than one in four competitions this year.
Saladino, though, is the defending World champion and will not concede his title without a fight.
Olympic silver medalist Godfrey Mokoena has also enjoyed a wonderfully consistent year. The South African has suffered just two defeats in the outdoor season and an area record of 8.50m in Madrid marks him down as a genuine medal contender in Berlin.
He has proved a man for the big occasion before – he is the reigning World indoor champion – and he is more than capable of putting a dent in the hopes of Phillips and Saladino.
Sebastian Bayer of Germany provided one of the most memorable moments of the indoor season with a stunning 8.71m leap to land the European indoor title. Many believed his huge improvement in Turin was simply a freak but an outdoor PB of 8.49m at the German Championships proved it was no fluke. However, Bayer has been hugely inconsistent and with just one other leap this season in excess of 8.00m it remains to be seen how he will fare in front of his passionate home fans in Berlin.
Australia launched a two-pronged medal assault with some optimism after enjoying a breakthrough season in the event. Mitchell Watt, aged just 21, has been a huge find, leaping to a personal best of 8.43m in Rethimno. His compatriot Fabrice Lapierre leapt to a windy 8.57m to win in Madrid and set a PB of 8.35m at the same meeting to hint at his credentials.
Salim Sdiri, the European indoor bronze medalist, jumped to a lifetime best of 8.42 in June and could also be a danger for France as could Morocco’s Yahyn Berrabah, who set a national record of 8.38m earlier this season.
Other names keen to make their mark include Cuba’s Ibrahim Camejo (8.30m), second-string American Brian Johnson (8.28m), Great Britain’s Chris Tomlinson (8.23m) and Louis Tsatoumas of Greece (8.21m).
Steve Landells for the IAAF
