By Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (August 30^th 2021)

Chasing the Record

Thirty years ago today US long jumper, Mike Powell, leapt into the history books. His rival Carl Lewis had been inching closer to Bob Beamon’s record of 8.90 which had been set at altitude in México City’s Olympic Games in October 1968. For some Beamon’s mark was thought to be unbreakable. Defending Olympic champion Lyn Davies told Beamon he had destroyed the event – he had extended the world record by 55 centimetres – an extraordinary progression.

Carl Lewis’ longest registered jump was 8.79 and not at altitude in June 1983. Beamon’s leap was incredible. His teammate Ralph Boston broke the great Jesse Owens world record. Owens set the record of 8.13m in 1935. He was the first person to break the 8 metres barrier. Owens’ record lasted just over a quarter of century. Beamon’s iconic leap lasted just under 23 years.

Owens record was broken by Beamon’s teammate Ralph Boston at 8.21 – he set five world records, improving the mark to 8.35m a distance he shared with the Ukrainian Igor Ter-Ovanesyan before Beamon tore up the record books.

The Giant Leap

On August 30^th 1991 history was made at the World Championships in Tokyo. Carl Lewis leapt further than Beamon’s world record by a centimetre, but the leap was wind-assisted, so Beamon’s record remained, but not for much longer.

Powell’s 5^th round effort took Beamon’s record and the gold medal. Lewis’ best effort that was not wind-assisted was 8.87, he had another measured at 8.84. He never held the long jump world record. Powell’s best ever jump of 8.99m was wind-assisted and came at altitude too in Italy in 1992.

Africa’s only representative in that final was Nigeria’s George Ogbeide. He finished last of the 13 qualifiers 1.17m behind Powell. Having set an African record of 8.65m in the South African championship in 2017, Luvo Manyonga won that year’s World Championship too.

The Test of Time

Powel’s world record has stood the test of time. Only three long jumpers have held the record for over 20 years in the twentieth century: Owens Beamon and Powell, although an honourable mention is deserved for Ireland’s Peter O’Connor whose record of 7.61m lasted just under a fortnight shy of 20 years.

Owens’ record lasted 25 years, two months and 18 days. Beamon’s stood for 22 years, ten months and 12 days.

Michael Powell is the only long jumper to hold the world record for 30 years and counting.