Italy’s Mattia Furlani solidified his status as the rising star in long jump by winning the world title with a personal best leap of 8.39 metres on Wednesday, as big favourite Miltiadis Tentoglou failed to make it to the second round of jumps. The 20-year-old Furlani, the world indoor champion, became the youngest and first Italian ever to win the title after speeding down the runway and soaring into the humid Tokyo night on his fifth attempt.
Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle, the world champion six years ago and bronze medallist in 2023, took silver with a jump of 8.34 metres, followed by China’s Shi Yuhao (8.33 metres). Greece’s double Olympic and defending world champion Tentoglou, the world leader this year with a jump of 8.46 metres, appeared off form and his 7.83 metres in the first round ranked 11th among the first three rounds, with only the top ten advancing for extra jumps.
