Spanish Long Jumper Mitxelena, Filipino Cabang Prepare for World Indoor Challenge
Torun, Poland, is set to host the World Athletics Indoor Championships this weekend, and two athletes with ties to the Gipuzkoa region – Irati Mitxelena and John Cabang – will be among the competitors. Although both share the destination, their paths to the championship represent distinctly different journeys.
Irati Mitxelena, representing Spain, arrives in Torun “very regular” in her form, according to reports, and will be one of 22 athletes representing the Spanish national team. John Cabang, meanwhile, will compete as the standout athlete for the Philippines, a nation he chose to represent three years ago. He is the current Filipino champion and recently earned a bronze medal at the Spanish Championships in Valencia.
Mitxelena Focused on Personal Best, Championship Performance
“The truth is I sense very good,” Mitxelena stated. “My objective in Torun is to showcase the form I’m in and be happy with my performance. The final result won’t depend solely on me, but also on what the others do.” The long jumper has achieved a personal best of 6.76 meters this year in San Sebastián, and also jumped 6.70 meters in Madrid. “I would like to be among the top eight.”
Maintaining that consistency, jumping over 6.60 meters, will be key to achieving that goal. Currently ranked 12th based on marks achieved since November, Mitxelena faces a strong field led by Italian Larissa Iapichino. No athlete has surpassed the seven-meter mark in 2026, suggesting a closely contested competition. “Anything can happen. Irati could be in the fight for a world medal or miss out on improvement,” noted her coach, Ramón Cid, during a recent training session. “Just being at this competition, where only sixteen qualify, is a great achievement. Indoor World Championship competitions are very complicated. Irati is arriving in spectacular shape.”
Mitxelena isn’t resting on her qualification. “These two weeks after the Spanish Championship have been great for training,” she added, with the final scheduled for Sunday at 10:20 local time (UTC+1). She feels prepared and is aiming high. At the previous World Indoor Championships, Fatima Diamé of Valencia won a bronze medal with a jump of 6.72 meters – a mark lower than Mitxelena has already achieved in 2026.
Mitxelena, who previously competed at the outdoor World Championships in Tokyo, Japan in September, has her sights set on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. This World Indoor Championship is a crucial step on that path, and she is determined to demonstrate her level on the international stage.
Cabang Returns to World Stage, Represents the Philippines
This won’t be John Cabang’s first appearance at a World Indoor Championship. He competed in Glasgow two years ago, reaching the semifinals in the 60-meter hurdles. That year proved successful, as he later qualified for the Olympic Games in Paris. After a 2025 season hampered by injuries, the athlete has returned to peak form. His personal best is 7.64 seconds, and he has run 7.70 seconds this year.
“I feel strong. At least I would like to repeat those semifinals from 2024, although hopefully I can go further,” Cabang said. The 60-meter hurdles are a notoriously challenging event, where even minor errors can be decisive. Cabang will compete in the heats on Saturday at 10:20 local time (UTC+1). If he advances to the semifinals, he will race again at 19:48. The final is scheduled for the same day at 21:02. Unlike the long jump, which features 16 competitors, the hurdles will see 48 athletes vying for a place in the final.
Poland’s Jakub Szymanski currently leads the field with a time of 7.38 seconds. Quique Llopis, the Spanish record holder at 7.45 seconds, is also aiming for a podium finish, while Asier Martínez will face a challenging bid to reach the final.
The World Athletics Indoor Championships in Torun promise to be a thrilling competition, with Mitxelena and Cabang both poised to represent their nations with pride and determination.
Next Up: The World Athletics Indoor Championships begin this Friday in Torun, Poland. Mitxelena will compete in the long jump final on Sunday at 10:20 local time (UTC+1), while Cabang will begin his 60m hurdles campaign on Saturday with the heats at 10:20 local time (UTC+1).
