Share

World long jump champion to work with Carl Lewis

Reigning world long jump champion Malaika Mihambo revealed on Sunday that she plans to move to the USA to be trained by athletics legends Carl Lewis and Leroy Burrell.

"I want to develop as an athlete and as a person," Mihambo told German daily Bild.

"I have the feeling that now is the right time for such a big step.

"Carl Lewis and Leroy Burrell, who will be my sprint coach, were among the best in the world for years. 

"I can learn a lot from them, that's irreplaceable."

German Mihambo won world gold in Doha in October with a personal best leap of 7.30m and was voted her country's athlete of the year in 2019.

Only former East German athletics legend Heike Drechsler, who managed 7.48m in 1988, has jumped further for Germany. 

Having got to know Lewis and Burell in online video calls, 26-year-old Mihambo plans to quit Germany in August - if travel restrictions due to the coronavirus allows - for the States.

She wants to move to Houston, Texas, to be coached by Lewis, 58, a nine-time Olympic champion in long jump and sprints, and Burrell, 53, a former Olympic and world 100m relay champion.

Lewis wrote himself into Olympics folklore with four gold medals, in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m and long jump, at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

Mihambo says Lewis has told her he is convinced of her potential.

"When the best long jumper in the world says something like that, it's a nice sign and encourages you," she added.

She is part motivated by a desire to improve her Spanish, because "around 40 percent of the population in Houston, where I will train and live, are Spanish-speaking".

However, news of her plans was greeted with disappointment by the German Athletics Association (DLV).

Top German female athletes Konstanze Klosterhalfen, a 5,000m world bronze medallist, and Gina Lueckenkemper, the reigning European 100m champion, have already moved their training to the US.

"If athletes are looking for a new challenge to develop further, we can't stop them," DLV president Juergen Kessing said.

He wished Mihambo "all the best", but pointed out that "title wins are certainly achievable within our support system".

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1158 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
30% - 1342 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2044 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE