Jumping Disciplines Showcase Resilience Amidst Challenging 2020
As the unprecedented year of 2020 draws to a close, we reflect on the key moments that defined the jumping disciplines across both the men’s and women’s events. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the sport showcased remarkable resilience and standout performances.
Men’s High Jump: Declining Performance Levels
In the men’s high jump, performance levels were already declining before the global health crisis struck. The indoor season saw a five-way tie for the world lead at 2.33m, the lowest mark in 37 years. Outdoors, only one jumper, 22-year-old Belarusian Maksim Nedasekau, managed to clear 2.33m, the lowest outdoor world lead in 39 years. However, Britain’s Tom Gale stood out, winning two major meets in the Czech Republic and setting a personal best of 2.33m. Cubans Luis Zayas and Bahamian Jamal Wilson also achieved 2.33m indoor personal bests.
Women’s High Jump: Lasitskene’s Dominance and Emerging Rivals
In the women’s high jump, the event has been dominated by Mariya Lasitskene in recent years. The three-time outdoor and two-time indoor world champion opened 2020 with impressive 2.04m and 2.05m clearances, putting her on track for the elusive Olympic gold. But with the Games postponed, Lasitskene only competed in a handful of national events, winning comfortably. Her Ukrainian rivals, Yuliya Levchenko and Yaroslava Mahuchikh, took center stage, both clearing 2.00m and battling for the top spots in Europe.
Men’s Pole Vault: Duplantis’ Dominance
The men’s pole vault saw the continued rise of Mondo Duplantis. The Swedish prodigy set two world records indoors, clearing 6.17m and 6.18m to cement his status as the event’s leading figure. He tied Sergey Bubka’s record for the most six-meter competitions in a season, achieving the feat 10 times. Two-time world champion Sam Kendricks was the only other vaulter to clear six meters, both indoors and outdoors.
Women’s Pole Vault: Increased Depth and High Performances
In the women’s pole vault, the 2019 World Championships final set a new standard for depth, with 4.80m required for a top-six finish. The 2020 indoor season saw world champion Anzhelika Sidorova and silver medalist Sandi Morris impress with multiple 4.90m-plus performances. Katie Nageotte of the USA was a standout, setting a personal best of 4.92m to move into the all-time top six.
Long Jump: Echevarria, Mihambo Shine
The men’s long jump witnessed a world-leading 8.41m indoors by Cuba’s Juan Miguel Echevarria, while China’s Wang Jianan produced the best outdoor mark of 8.36m. In the women’s long jump, Germany’s Malaika Mihambo continued her dominance, recording the only two seven-meter jumps of the year, 7.07m indoors and 7.03m outdoors.
Triple Jump: Zango’s Rise and Taylor’s Consistency
The men’s triple jump saw Burkina Faso’s Hugues Fabrice Zango cement his status as a rising star, winning seven of eight competitions and setting an African indoor record of 17.77m, the best mark of 2020. Christian Taylor, the multiple world and Olympic champion, also impressed with a world-leading 17.57m outdoor performance.
Women’s Triple Jump: Rojas Breaks Indoor World Record
In the women’s triple jump, Venezuela’s Yulimar Rojas etched her name in the record books, breaking the 16-year-old indoor world record with a stunning 15.43m leap. Despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic, Rojas remained the discipline’s dominant force, winning at the Diamond League meeting in Monaco and registering a world-leading 14.71m jump.
🔗 Source
