In recognition of her contributions, she was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame in March 2023, solidifying her status as a legendary figure in the world of sports and philanthropy. 8. Heike Dreschler Dwight Philips stands as one of the greatest long jumpers in the 21st century. His impressive career includes four World Championship gold medals and a remarkable gold medal win at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He proudly won gold at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin and repeated the feat in Daegu in 2011. Born on November 10, 1963, in Philadelphia, his journey to greatness began at Edgewood High School, where he made waves by securing second place in the high jump at the 1981 CIF California State Meet. His incredible performance at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo is still legendary to this day. He broke world records in both the 100m and 4x100m relay.

He exhibited outstanding prowess by clinching 10 NCAA long jump and triple jump titles, both indoor and outdoor. Remarkably, his collegiate outdoor long jump record of 28 feet 8.25 inches (8.7440 metres) still stands strong.Despite this success, endorsements proved elusive due to controversies and rumours about his personal life. Carl Lewis’ impressive accomplishments encompass: As a teenager, she was actively involved in the Free German Youth (FDJ) and even earned a seat in the Volkskammer of East Germany in 1984. For example, Emmiyan's personal best jump of 8.86 metres, achieved in Tsaghkadzor in May 1987, still stands as the current European record and ranks as the fourth-best long jump in history. Yes, that’s true! This was the OG version of today's long jump. Fast forward to the present, and it's become one of the most captivating sports to catch on TV.

Championship competitions, the ultimate stage for these jumpers, typically grant each competitor six chances to soar through the air. Meet Mike Powell, the legendary long jumper who's left an indelible mark in the world of athletics. His Olympic journey continued with a silver medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, gold at the 1993 World Championships and bronze at the 1995 World Championships. In the 1986 politically contested Goodwill Games in Moscow, he not only won gold but also set a new European record with an 8.61-metre jump. His long jump world record of 8.90 metres, which shattered the world record by an astonishing 55 centimetres, remained unbroken for over two decades, making it one of the most enduring records in the history of the sport.She not only equalled Marita Koch's 200-metre sprint world record of 21.71 seconds but she also set two long jump world records; for one, she secured her place in history with a remarkable leap of 7.48 metres. Notably, Powell also holds the record for the longest wind-assisted jump, an astounding 8.99 metres (29 ft 5+3/4 in), achieved in Italy in 1992. Phillips reached the pinnacle of his career at the 2004 Athens Olympics, securing a gold medal with a jump of 8.59 metres, establishing himself as one of the sport's finest.

In 2003, he gained prominence by winning both the IAAF indoor and outdoor World Championships, with the indoor event being a very close contest. This remarkable jump shattered the existing record by a whopping 55 centimetres (21+3/4 in), leaving a legacy that stood for almost 23 years until Mike Powell's phenomenal performance in 1991. As an athlete, she was very versatile! Besides her long jump career, she further solidified her status with other remarkable achievements, including setting a world record in the heptathlon. Despite facing obstacles, including losing his athletic scholarship due to a boycott, Beamon persevered.

Site Customisation

Today, he's sharing his expertise as a long jump coach at Azusa Pacific University. Mike Powell's journey, marked by incredible achievements and unwavering dedication, continues to inspire athletes worldwide. Her marriage to Andreas Drechsler in July 1984 led her to compete as Heike Drechsler, and under the guidance of her father-in-law, Erich Drechsler, she continued to achieve greatness. Her long jump of 7.49m is still currently number two of all-time, just 3cm behind the world record, and bear in mind that she actually did it twice!