athletics
Long jumper Mihambo “relaxed” for the World Cup
Malaika Mihambo is not putting any pressure on herself before the World Cup in Eugene. Photo: Soeren Stache/dpa/archive picture
© dpa-infocom GmbH
Long jump Olympic champion Malaika Mihambo approaches the title defenses at the European and World Championships with “relaxation”.
Long jump Olympic champion Malaika Mihambo approaches the title defenses at the European and World Championships with “relaxation”.
“I have achieved everything you could wish for in my sporting life. I am very grateful for that. I find that I no longer have this hunger for titles or the feeling that I have to prove something to anyone else or to myself. That’s why I can now start very easily and relaxed, »said the 28-year-old in an interview with the German Press Agency. “I hope that I can use this looseness to jump even better and further.”
The World Athletics Championships in Eugene/USA, which last until July 24, begin on Friday. The European Championships in Munich will take place from August 15th to 21st. “For me, 2022 would be a successful year if I could say at the end of the year that I had very good competitions, did my best and was able to show what I’m made of,” said the athlete from the LG Kurpfalz. «On the other hand, it’s always about working on my own happiness and developing and growing as a person. That’s more important to me than any sporting success.”
Thoughts about time after long jump career
Mihambo is already dealing with the time after her athletics career. “Of course I’m already thinking about it. But the path I am now taking is leading me to my goal – even beyond my sporting career. Environmental and social issues are very important to me. If I can find a place from which I can make a positive contribution, that would make me happy,” said the three-time German “Sportswoman of the Year”.
The path could also lead you to a training station with the American track and field legend Carl Lewis. But for now, the project is on the back burner. “That would only be conceivable for a longer season build-up. You only have the time of one or two months in autumn – and the Corona situation was still too uncertain last year. Now I’m concentrating on the season, but you can see if it fits this fall, »said Mihambo.