Some records seem almost unbreakable. No matter how many talents come and go, some things just look untouchable. And Galina Chistyakova’s 1988 record is just like that. 36 years had passed since her remarkable 7.52-meter record long jump. Many thought that the trend would continue into 2024 as well. But a new crop of challengers arrived who nearly reached the legend. Tara David-Woodhall was one of them. And with a jump of 7.18 m in Feb 2024, she nearly snagged it. But there was someone else who got even closer.

But who was it? Well, Malaika Mihambo, of course! The German stepped up when it mattered most! The reigning Olympic champ isn’t letting anyone, not even Tara Davis-Woodhall, steal the spotlight without a fight. With a 7.30m personal best, she’s got a 0.22m edge over Tara. And let’s not forget that Mihambo battled breathing issues at the Paris Olympics and still put on a show today after a new rule came in!

Mihambo takes flight high

On February 9th, Malaika Mihambo took on a brand-new challenge at the PSD BANK DOME in Düsseldorf. There, World Athletics decided to shake things up with a fresh long jump format—the Take-Off Zone. Instead of the usual rigid board, athletes got a 40-cm runway to launch from, with jumps measured from the tip of the foot. Less fouls, more excitement, and probably a few confused looks from purists wondering, Is this even legal? So, how did it all play out?

Mihambo was on fire, taking the win with a 6.87m jump—her third victory in three appearances this year. With World Athletics’ new Take-Off Zone, she had a lot more room to launch, and it showed. Speaking to Germany’s ARD network, she called the change “exciting” but admitted, “You could see a few things that need to be worked on.” Still, her jump under this new system was nearly half a meter better than her traditional 6.39 m, where she had four invalid attempts. The extended board made a difference. Not that she needs extra help.

Just a day earlier in Karlsruhe, under normal conditions, she landed a 7.07-meter jump. By Sunday, though, she admitted, “I was simply very tired.” And honestly, after jumping that far twice in two days, who wouldn’t be? Meanwhile, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe insists the new format keeps fans engaged because watching invalid jumps is a snooze fest.

But will this tweak make it to the Olympics, or is it just a short-lived experiment? Either way, one thing is certain—whether it’s 40cm, 4cm, or no takeoff board at all, Mihambo is still the one setting the bar. But not everyone is pleased with this new format!

Tara Davis-Woodhall isn’t sold on the rule

Not everyone is thrilled about the long jump makeover—Carl Lewis included. The four-time Olympic gold medalist didn’t hold back when World Athletics announced the Take-Off Zone in 2024. He called it an “April Fools’ joke” on social media. His argument? This new setup removes the hardest part of the event—nailing the takeoff board with precision.

And let’s be real: if a guy who won four straight Olympic golds thinks it’s a bad idea, maybe there’s something to it. But he’s not alone in his skepticism—Tara Davis-Woodhall isn’t exactly cheering for the change either. “I think it might be a little silly,” she admits. “Just because you kind of take away from the principle of long jump.”

Having spent years perfecting her craft—getting her foot right on the board with zero centimeters lost—she questions why that skill is suddenly being tossed aside. Beyond that, she points out a major issue: lower-level and high school competitions might not have access to the tech needed to measure jumps from a Take-Off Zone, potentially creating a divide between amateur and professional levels.

Still, Tara Davis-Woodhall is keeping an open mind, saying, “You never know, change is good sometimes.” But for now, she’s focused on what matters—enjoying her sport, owning her performances, and pushing her limits. But the real question is—will we get to see another Tara Davis-Woodhall vs. Malaika Mihambo showdown like we did in Paris 2024?

The Tara Davis-Woodhall vs. Malaika Mihambo battle at Paris 2024 was a fight to the finish. Davis-Woodhall brought her best, leading from the qualifiers and sealing the deal with a 7.10m jump in the fourth round. In doing so, she took gold and ended Mihambo’s reign from Tokyo 2020. Mihambo responded with 6.98 m but had to settle for silver. Now, with World Athletics’ new rule shaking things up, the big question is—can Tara dominate again, or is this about to be a long jump plot twist no one saw coming?