Long jumper Malaika Mihambo: “Olympia – that’s my next goal”

Your mirror: As a child, you also tried ballet, gymnastics, and judo. Why did you like athletics better?

Pretends: I enjoyed the other things too. I found judo especially interesting because you always learn a lot of new techniques there. But I didn’t like the fact that you have to attack yourself physically. In athletics you also fight against each other, but without having to touch each other. I prefer that.

Your mirror: Have you tried other disciplines as well?

Pretends: Yes, I’ve always been very fond of hurdles and high jump. At 1.70 meters, however, I am too small for high jump. That’s why at some point I only concentrated on the long jump. I’ve always been the best at that too.

Your mirror: In 2019 you became world champion. How did that feel?

Pretends: That was incredible. After my jump I immediately got goose bumps because I was so happy and couldn’t believe what I had just succeeded in doing.

Your mirror: Back then, on your third attempt, you jumped 7.30 meters. Before that, you were long behind in the back seats. How did you manage to stay calm?

Pretends: It wasn’t that easy because it was a very difficult competition. I couldn’t really concentrate because of the excitement. That’s why I closed my eyes before the third jump, fully focused on my breathing and tried to block everything out. Then I just started walking.

Your mirror: Is it true that you meditate five times a week?

Pretends: Yes, head training is important. Meditating is about focusing only on yourself and forgetting about everything else for a moment. This is not only helpful in sport, but also in other areas of life, for example during exams.

Your mirror: What else is on your training plan?

Pretends: Quite a lot. I have to train strength, sprint and jump. Only endurance is not so important to me, because the long jump is about going full throttle only once. That’s why I only train once a day, but then very intensively. It’s so exhausting that I need nine hours of sleep to recover at night.

Your mirror: How has your training changed due to Corona?

Pretends: I now mostly train alone. Usually you are in a group with other athletes, but unfortunately that is not possible at the moment.

Your mirror: Here in Germany you had the same coach for 16 years. In the fall you will switch to a trainer in the USA. How so?

Pretends: Because I want to try something new. So far I’ve always had the same people around me, and the training has always been the same. In order to improve even further, something has to change now.

Your mirror: Other successful German athletes also prefer to train in the USA. Why is that?

Pretends: I don’t know how it is with the others. But I am not only attracted by the sporty aspect, but also the experience that surrounds it. I’m looking forward to living in another country, speaking a different language and meeting new people.

Your mirror: Your new trainer is Carl Lewis. He used to be a long jumper himself and has won nine Olympics. What else do you want to achieve?

Pretends: I became a European and a world champion. But I haven’t won the Olympics yet. This is my next goal.

Your mirror: Do you think the Tokyo Olympics will take place this year despite Corona?

Pretends: Yes I think so. The plans for this are becoming more and more specific. It has also already been organized who will arrive when and what hygiene rules there will be. So I’m not worried about that.

Your mirror: However, it is not yet clear whether spectators will be allowed. Can you concentrate better without loud cheering?

Pretends: No, on the contrary. You can get even better involved in the competition in front of an audience. When I am cheered on in a stadium, it gives my legs energy.