by Deji Ogeyingbo
Deji Ogeyingbo wrote this piece on Mattia Furlani, the Italian long jump star who will be the world leader in 2025 and who just turned 21!
Mattia Furlani Steps Up as the Next Long Jump Star
When you see one in Sport, it’s easy to figure out a talent. Mattia Furlani is one such athlete who falls into such categories. The Long Jumper has won every possible title at various age categories and has made the leap to the senior category about two years ago. He is now on the verge of displacing the best in the event and becoming the undisputed number one in the men’s Long Jump.
In the final moments of the long jump competition in Torun, Furlani stood at the top of the runway. He had led most of the night but knew one final leap could seal something bigger. He sprinted down the track, hit the board perfectly, and soared. When he landed, the scoreboard flashed: 8.37 meters. A new Italian indoor record. A meeting record. And, most importantly, a commanding win over world and Olympic champion Miltiadis Tentoglou.
It was the kind of moment that shifts the balance in a sport. Tentoglou had been the undisputed king of men’s long jump for years. He showed up at every major championship and found a way to win. The Greek superstar always delivered, whether at the Olympics, World Championships, or the biggest meets on the circuit. But this time, Furlani didn’t just beat him; he left no doubt. A 34-centimeter margin at the finish wasn’t just a victory. It was a statement.
Furlani has been building toward this for years. He dominated the junior levels as a teenager, winning every major title. He jumped to the senior stage in 2023; by 2024, he was already proving he belonged. Last year, he won silver at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow and followed it up with a bronze at the Paris Olympics. Those podium finishes showed his potential. But in Torun, he showed something more. He revealed that he was ready to take over.
His approach to competition is different now. There is a sense of control in how he jumps, a growing confidence from knowing he belongs at the top. He led the competition early with an 8.21-meter jump in the third round, staying ahead while others struggled to find their rhythm. Then, in the final round, when the pressure was highest, he delivered the most significant jump of his career. That kind of composure is rare for someone so young.
Big performances like this don’t happen by accident. Furlani has worked behind the scenes, refining his technique and fine-tuning his approach. Long jump isn’t just about speed and power—it’s about precision. A fraction of a second too early or too late on the takeoff board can be the difference between a personal best and a foul. Furlani’s ability to get it right when it mattered most was the clearest sign yet that he is ready to challenge the best.
Furlani’s rise is also fresh air for the men’s long jump. For years, the event has lacked true rivalries. Juan Miguel Echevarría was one athlete who brought a bit of fire to the event, but since his hiatus, Tentoglou has dominated, winning consistently without a clear challenger. Fans have been waiting for someone to step up, to inject some unpredictability into the men’s Long Jump. In Torun, Furlani gave them that. He didn’t just push Tentoglou; he beat him convincingly. And now, heading into the World Indoor Championships, the dynamic at the top of the event has shifted.
Of course, one win doesn’t define a career. Tentoglou isn’t going anywhere, and the long jump is an event where consistency is everything. A single meet doesn’t make Furlani the new king of the event. But how he competed in Torun suggests this wasn’t a one-off performance. With every competition, he is getting better, more confident, and more dangerous.
There’s also a sense that this is just the beginning. At 20 years old, Furlani is still developing. His technique can improve. His physical strength will increase. He hasn’t reached his peak yet, which should be a scary thought for his competitors. If he’s already jumping 8.37 meters now, what will he be capable of in a year? Two years?
With the World Indoor Championships fast approaching, all eyes will be on him. Can he finally get his first big win on the big stage? Can he take that next step from silver and bronze to Gold? If Torun was any indication, the answer might be yes.
