by Stuart Weir
Malaika Mihambo, photo courtesy of ISTAF
Malaika Mihambo, photo by ISTAF
Malaika Mihambo is a German athletics superstar. Malaika is the 2021 Olympic champion, 2019 World Champion, 2018 European Champion in the long jump and has jumped 7.30m, during the 2019 WC in Doha!
This interview is done by Stuart Weir, the audio is in German, which is Malaika’s native language and one that Stuart Weir speaks with great fluency. As a treat to our German readers, we are providing the sound cloud audio (thanks to Stuart for interview and Brian Eder, my partner on RunBlogRun, for managing the production) in German and the text interview in English.
We hope that you enjoy!
Malaika Mihambo talks Long Jump (audio in German)
Malaika Mihambo talks long jump (text in English)
1. How did you start athletics?
I went to a summer programme when I was eight years old. It was a programme to introduce primary school children to the sport. I enjoyed it and I was told that I was good at jumping. Right from the beginning long jump was one of my strengths. Also multi-events and hurdles.
Malaika Mihambo, photo by European Athletics
2. How soon did you realize that you had a particular talent?
I think when I was 16 and was selected for my first international team.
3. How long is your run up?
My run-up is 40.5m.
4. Was the purpose of the run up and what makes a good run-up?
The run-up is about accelerating and increasing speed – not necessarily maximum speed but the optimum speed from which one can jump. Stability in the run-up is important, that, so to speak, every step is the same so that one arrives well at the board. The most important steps in the run-up are the last three – preparing to jump.
Malaika Mihambo, photo by European Athletics
5. What causes a foul?
Many things can cause a foul. One can be too close to the board or too far back. I have done both. Sometimes you think you are too far back, make an adjustment and overstep the board.
6. You won the Olympics with your last jump: Do you think it’s easier to find the big jump in the final round when you absolutely need it or when you have already won?
I think it’s easier when you absolutely need it because it feels more urgent. On the other hand, it is a bit easier if you already know you are in front. When I think of Doha and the 7.30m, for example, I would have been hard pressed to jump any further afterwards that day.
Malaika Mihambo, photo by European Athletics
7. Before 2019 you had never jumped 7m. Then in 2019 you did it seven times. Explain how you found m jumps so easy in 2019?
I think a number of things just came together. In the previous years, particularly 2018 I think it would’ve been quite possible for me to jump seven metres. I jumped 6.99m and 6.96m [Birmingham] in 2018. The best performances were good but my level was not consistent and in 2019 I managed to become more consistent so that I could already achieve at least one seven-meter jump per competition, so to speak.
My speed is good and technically I am good and when those come together 7m can be reached but it is still difficult. 7m is never easy because it’s a huge distance. I think too that you can develop a fear of it. But when you break through that barrier and learn that it’s possible and that you can do it, it does feel easier to repeat.
8. Why is it more difficult to jump seven metres than 6.99. Is that psychological?
Laughs. I think, as you say, it is psychological. For me, having achieved it, it is no longer a barrier in my head. I know that I can do it and that jumping 7m is a realistic expectation.
9. If you were offered at next year’s world championship a win at 6.95 or second place with 7m, what would you choose?
Laughs. I would take the win
Malaika Mihambo, photo by European Athletics
10. Away from athletics what do you like to do?
Lots of things. I play the piano. I like playing music. I tried learning guitar.
I like to read. I like hanging out with friends and family. I like travel especially foreign travel and I meditate. I like to study. I am doing a Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences
11. You went to India?
My time in India was very special. I really like India. It was a voyage of discovery but I had a lot of fun. I did a very intensive meditation course – 10 hours meditation each day! That was a challenge but I enjoyed it and learned a lot about myself. It helped me to grow. I traveled a lot and saw a lot of new things. To be able to immerse yourself in someone else’s way of life where their culture is so different from Germany was so interesting. And you meet a lot of interesting people while traveling.
