American Bryant marks indoor worlds debut with long jump title

23 March 2025 05:35| © Reuters
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Claire Bryant © Getty Images

American Claire Bryant produced a personal best of 6.96 metres to win the women's long jump gold on the final day of the world indoor athletics championships at Nanjing's Cube on Sunday.

 

 

Switzerland's Annik Kalin was second with 6.83m and Spain's Fatima Diame finished third with 6.72m.

"If someone had told me that I would walk away from Nanjing with the title, I would thank them for that vote of confidence," said 23-year-old Bryant.

"I didn't come in with expectations, I just wanted to enjoy the moment. Every part of this is so cool. I woke up at 4.45 a.m. this morning, I felt like it was Christmas morning and I knew there was something waiting for me.

"You can always surprise yourself in track, and I think that's what's so great about this sport. Seven metres is coming, for sure."

 

 

Australia claimed a one-two in the women's high jump as Nicola Olyslagers successfully defended her title by clearing 1.97m, winning on countback ahead of Eleanor Patterson.

Ukraine's world record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh completed the podium with a leap of 1.95m, edging out Serbia's Angelina Topic on countback.

Having completed the first half of a rare double by winning the men's 3 000m title on Saturday, Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen will target 1 500m gold in the evening session to match the feat of Ethiopian great Haile Gebrselassie in 1999.

Nine other finals will also be held, including the men's and women's 800m and the 4x400m relays, to conclude the first major global athletics meet since last year's Paris Olympics.