The youngest long jump world champion in history is inspired by Powell, Jacobs and Carl Lewis: “He was the Son of the Wind, I am Spiderman.”
The room is on the fourth floor of the Anniversaire Omotesando, in Kito-Aoyama, Minato City, in the heart of Tokyo. This is where Adidas has set up its hospitality suite during the World Championships, spread across an elegant eight-story building. Athletes come and go, accompanied by coaches, managers, and federation officials. Interviewee and interviewer, facing each other, strictly without shoes, sit on the floor on a tatami-like mat: Mattia Furlani, at 20 the youngest world champion in the long jump in history, despite having had only a few hours of sleep, is as brilliant as ever.
Mattia, how do you feel the day after?
“It’s really cool, a strong emotion, magic.”
How much sleep did you get?
“I threw myself on the bed, that’s for sure. I was awake at 10:30, but I stayed up for another hour.”
How many messages did you receive?
“I think a thousand. Among the most welcome were those from my rapper friends: Ghali, whom I’ve never met, but who often gets in touch. And Astro, with whom I’ve collaborated.“
Do you believe in what you’ve done now?
”After listening to Mameli’s anthem in Medal Plaza, a little more. On the podium, having come first, I thought about the world indoor gold in Nanjing in March.“
When will you return to Italy?
”Tomorrow (today, ed.): my homeland is calling… I would have liked to take a vacation here, but after 15 days in Japan and what happened, I feel the need to go back. Who knows how the people of Rieti will welcome me.“
What do you miss?
”Giulia, my girlfriend. And a little peace and quiet: it’s been a year full of trips: China, the United States, Finland, Spain, England, Switzerland, and here. I want to wake up in my bed and be with my friends.”
What will you do when you get home?
“I’ll play Playstation, basketball, and listen to South Korean rap music produced by my brother Luca. Then I’ll eat supplì.”
Your mom is getting a lot of attention: is she happy?
“My sainted mother: we’re a team, everyone gives 100%. The gold belongs to many, she is the number one architect.“
You say you don’t like sand: is that true?
”True: I preferred the high jump and jumping on trampolines.”
When you return to work on October 20, after planning your vacations, what will you focus on?
“We will seek stability to consolidate all aspects of the jump. That’s what I missed this year. We will increase volumes and loads. For now, we’ve been holding back.“
What can be improved?
”The landing, for example. I ‘close’ badly. Only in 8.39 was it up to par. It’s more a physical issue than a technical one, which can be improved through core stability exercises. We’ll calibrate everything.”
What impresses you most about her is her speed: don’t you want to run a 100?
“Of course, even though I know my worth. Certain parameters are monitored. But I don’t say it, because I’d come across as a braggart. Few would believe me. A 100 or a 60 indoors: I have to find the opportunity.”
Maybe in 2026?
“It will be a quieter season, with the European Championships in Birmingham as the highlight. A few windows may open up.”
Are you also thinking about the 4×100?
“I love to challenge myself, I’d love to join the team. Carl Lewis never missed a chance: even a long jumper can do it.”
The final brought back memories of Tokyo 1991, won by Mike Powell with a world record of 8.95 over Lewis. How was your meeting with Mike?
“We met at the Trento Sports Festival in 2023. How lucky: he’s part of history, he’s a mentor, an inspiration. I was struck by his simplicity. I was an 18-year-old nobody. Yet he didn’t shy away from the comparison. Quite the contrary.”
What would you like to have from those two?
“Mike’s physical structure and Carl’s lightness. The records? Let me grow little by little. They’re not impossible; I’m giving myself six years to get close to them. Right now, a realistic goal is 8.60. In the meantime, I’m proud to end 2025 at the top of the rankings.”
You took the record for precocity from Lewis.
“It’s worth a lot. I hope to surpass him in terms of podiums and measurements.”
If he was the Son of the Wind, who are you?
“I’m Spiderman.”
Do you have a message for your rivals?
“I beat Gayle, who won the 2019 World Championships in Doha with 8.69: we’ll see each other again soon. As with Tentoglou: he’s a giant, but no one is a robot.”
Among your fellow world champions, who do you admire most?
“Saying Duplantis is obvious. I’ll mention Kerr, king of the high jump, and Kambundji, queen of the 100 hurdles. I know Ditaju, we’ve competed in several races together. His sister, sprinter Mujinga, is the same age as my sister Erika: they’re due to give birth around the same time.“
Addressing young people on Wednesday night, you said, ”Don’t be afraid to challenge the world.”
“You have to throw yourself into the fray without fear. It’s a form of respect for yourself and your work.”
Who were your role models?
“One for all: Marcell Jacobs, a great champion. We spoke after my final. I’m happy that he’ll be part of the relay quartet (it hadn’t been made official yet… ed.).“ Did Roma invite you to Trigoria or to a match? ”If they don’t, I’ll go anyway; if they do, so much the better. But I’m not making any predictions for Sunday’s derby.”
