Greek long jump athlete and Olympian winner, Miltos Tentoglou, has once again emerged triumphant on the global stage, clinching the gold medal with an impressive jump of 8.22 meters at the Glasgow Indoor Athletics World Championship on Saturday (02/03).
This victory signifies Tentoglou’s successful defense of the title he previously secured in the same event, establishing him as the fourth athlete in the discipline’s history to achieve such a remarkable feat.
The competition unfolded in dramatic fashion as Tendoglou and Italian athlete Mattia Furlani both reached 8.22 meters in their initial jumps, momentarily sharing the lead. However, in their second-best attempts, Tentoglou outperformed the Italian, securing his place at the forefront of the competition.
Despite a challenging second attempt below 8 meters, Tendoglou’s third jump at 8.19 meters solidified his dominance, securing his gold medal. Furlani’s valiant efforts earned him the silver, while Jamaican athlete Carey McLeod clinched the bronze with a jump of 8.21 meters.
Carrying a season record of 8.26 meters just a few days prior at the Peace and Friendship Stadium (SEF), Tentoglou’s second attempt fell short at 7.94 meters. Despite this, he maintained a competitive edge, and in the subsequent rounds, his resilience and skill came to the fore.
In the final three rounds, the top jumpers vied for supremacy, with Tentoglou making his fourth, fifth, and sixth jumps. The consistency of his performance throughout these rounds secured his place as the ultimate victor.
Tentoglou’s final jump of 8.19 meters in the last attempt showcased his unwavering determination and skill, solidifying his gold medal position. The competition’s final rankings were as follows:
- Miltos Tentoglou (Greece) – 8.22 meters
- Mattia Furlani (Italy) – 8.22 meters
- Carey McLeod (Jamaica) – 8.21 meters
- Simon Bats (Germany) – 8.06 meters
- Jarrion Lawson (USA) – 8.06 meters
- Tajay Gayle (Jamaica) – 7.89 meters
- William Williams (USA) – 7.83 meters
- Tobias Montler (Sweden) – 7.80 meters
- Gianan Wang (China) – 7.74 meters
- Emiliano Lasa (Uruguay) – 7.73 meters
- Bozhidar Sarabo (Bulgaria) – 7.73 meters
- Andreas Traikofski (North Macedonia) – 7.73 meters
- Jeswin Aldrin (India) – 7.69 meters
- Radek Juska (Czech Republic) – 7.68 meters
- Laquan Nairn (Bahamas) – 7.56 meters
- Arnovis Dalmero (Colombia) – Disqualified
“My performance was terrible!”
Reflecting on his victory, Tentoglou remarked, “My performance was terrible!” in an interview with ERT shortly after the competition. Despite winning the gold, Tentoglou shared his discontent, stating that the race felt more like a regional or Balkan event rather than a global championship. He emphasized his relentless pursuit of improvement, noting that he did not enjoy the race and that his competitors displayed a greater hunger for success.
Despite his critical self-assessment, Tendoglou’s gold medal signifies not only his individual success but also Greece’s continued prominence in international athletics. Looking ahead, Tendoglou aims to strengthen his performance in the upcoming outdoor season, remaining determined to face challenges and maintain his competitive edge.
The Greek champion, boasting a total of 11 gold medals and 2 silver medals in major competitions for both youth and men since 2016, remains optimistic about future performances. Tentoglou aims to further strengthen his capabilities during the upcoming summer season, illustrating his commitment to continuous improvement and his dedication to participating in every competition.
