Long Jump Icons: The 8 Greatest Long Jumpers of All-Time
The Greatest Long Jumpers in History: Stats, Facts and Records!
Long jump is an incredible sport full of ups and downs for athletes and spectators alike.
But who are the greatest long jumpers of all-time? Read on to find out - including world record breakers from across the globe.
Dwight Phillips making an incredible long jump leap!
Did you know that long jumping has its roots in Ancient Greece, where athletes carried weights in each hand, swung them forward on take-off, and released them mid-jump to increase momentum?
Yes, that’s true! This was the OG version of today's long jump. Fast forward to the present, and it's become one of the most captivating sports to catch on TV.
Now, here's a fun fact for you: the long jump we know and love today has been dazzling audiences at the Olympics since the very first Games in 1896. And when it comes to world records in the men's event, US jumpers have been the ones to watch.
So, why do we love watching these athletes so much? Well, for starters, they make jaw-dropping jumps that defy gravity. Plus, have you seen their incredible physiques? It's hard not to admire them!
Championship competitions, the ultimate stage for these jumpers, typically grant each competitor six chances to soar through the air.
However, those achieving shorter marks often face elimination after just three attempts.
In the event of tie scores, the athlete with the next best distance emerges as the victor. The long jump demands a unique blend of skills, including speed, explosive power, strength and agility.
Major championships generally follow a format that includes a qualification session, leading to an intense final showdown where the finest athletes showcase their talents.
The 10 Furthest Long Jumps of All Time
| Name | Jump Length (meters) | Jump Year |
|---|---|---|
| Bob Beamon (USA) | 8.90 | 1968 |
| Mike Powell (USA) | 8.95 | 1991 |
| Carl Lewis (USA) | 8.87 | 1991 |
| Robert Emmiyan (Soviet Union/Armenia) | 8.86 | 1987 |
| Ivan Pedroso (Cuba) | 8.96 | 1995 |
| Erick Walder (USA) | 8.74 | 1994 |
| Larry Myricks (USA) | 8.74 | 1988 |
| João Carlos de Oliveira (Brazil) | 8.72 | 1975 |
| Lutz Dombrowski (East Germany) | 8.54 | 1985 |
| Ralph Boston (USA) | 8.35 | 1960 |
Let’s delve deeper into the stories of the 8 greatest long jumpers of all-time - and explore the remarkable achievements that make them legends in the world of long jumping.
1. Mike Powell
He holds the record for the longest wind-assisted jump of all-time
He achieved a gold medal at the 1993 World Championships
He won the James E. Sullivan Award and BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year in 1991
Meet Mike Powell, the legendary long jumper who's left an indelible mark in the world of athletics.
Born on November 10, 1963, in Philadelphia, his journey to greatness began at Edgewood High School, where he made waves by securing second place in the high jump at the 1981 CIF California State Meet.
Powell’s educational journey took him to the University of California, Irvine, and later UCLA, where he also became a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
But it was on the international stage where he truly shone. In 1988, at the Seoul Olympics, he clinched a silver medal in the long jump.
In the 1991 World Championships in Athletics in Tokyo, he catapulted to legendary status by smashing Bob Beamon's long-standing world record with an astonishing 8.95-metre (29 ft 4+1/4 in) leap.
This incredible achievement earned him the James E. Sullivan Award and BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year in 1991.
Notably, Powell also holds the record for the longest wind-assisted jump, an astounding 8.99 metres (29 ft 5+3/4 in), achieved in Italy in 1992.
His Olympic journey continued with a silver medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, gold at the 1993 World Championships and bronze at the 1995 World Championships.
After a brief retirement, he aimed for a comeback in 2001, but Olympic glory eluded him. Post-retirement, Mike Powell became a sports analyst for Yahoo! Sports Olympic Track & Field coverage.
In July 2009, he expressed his intention to return to competition with the goal of breaking records in the Masters over 45 category.
Today, he's sharing his expertise as a long jump coach at Azusa Pacific University. Mike Powell's journey, marked by incredible achievements and unwavering dedication, continues to inspire athletes worldwide.
Notably, his daughter, Micha Powell, followed in his footsteps, representing Canada in the Olympics in 2016.
2. Bob Beamon
The youngest long jumper to ever set a world record
He achieved a world record of 8.90 metres at the 1968 Olympics
He worked as a track coach after his retirement from athletics
Bob Beamon, the youngest long jumper to ever set a world record, achieved an incredible feat with his astonishing long jump of 8.90 metres (29 ft 2+1/4 in) at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.
This remarkable jump shattered the existing record by a whopping 55 centimetres (21+3/4 in), leaving a legacy that stood for almost 23 years until Mike Powell's phenomenal performance in 1991.
Beamon's journey into the world of track and field began in South Jamaica, Queens, New York.
He overcame personal challenges, including losing his mother at a young age, and discovered his talent for jumping while attending Jamaica High School.
Larry Ellis, a renowned track coach, recognised his potential, leading Beamon to become part of the All-American track and field team.
During his college years, Beamon initially attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University but later transferred to the University of Texas at El Paso on a track and field scholarship.
Despite facing obstacles, including losing his athletic scholarship due to a boycott, Beamon persevered.
His iconic moment arrived at the 1968 Olympics. Beamon's historic jump not only stunned the world but also led to the creation of the term "Beamonesque" to describe such extraordinary feats.
His long jump world record of 8.90 metres, which shattered the world record by an astonishing 55 centimetres, remained unbroken for over two decades, making it one of the most enduring records in the history of the sport.
After his athletic career, Beamon continued to contribute to the world of sports, promoting youth athleticism and working as a track coach.
He is honoured in the National Track and Field Hall of Fame and the United States Olympic Hall of Fame, with a street in El Paso, Texas, bearing his name.
3. Carl Lewis
He won four gold medals in the 1984 Olympics
He broke world records at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo
He was named “Sportsman of the Century” by the International Olympic Committee
Carl Lewis, a track and field legend, is renowned for his remarkable achievements in the sport.
His journey began with an ambitious goal: matching Jesse Owens' four gold medals in the 1936 Olympics. As one of the fastest sprinters in history, he was a tough one to match!
But in the 1984 Summer Olympics, Lewis achieved just that, winning gold in the 100m, long jump, 200m and anchoring the 4x100m relay team. He’s considered one of the greatest male Olympians of all-time.
Despite this success, endorsements proved elusive due to controversies and rumours about his personal life.
Carl Lewis’ impressive accomplishments encompass:
Nine gold medals at the Olympic Games
Eight gold medals at the World Championships
Two gold medals at the Pan American Games
Three gold medals at the Goodwill Games
Three silver medals (Olympic Games, World Championships and Goodwill Games)
Three bronze medals (World Championships, Pan American Games and Goodwill Games)
His incredible performance at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo is still legendary to this day. He broke world records in both the 100m and 4x100m relay.
The long jump competition at these championships, where he lost to Mike Powell but set an impressive mark of 8.91 metres (29 feet 2¾ inches), is often considered one of the greatest in track and field history.
In 1996, Lewis made a triumphant Olympic comeback, securing his fourth consecutive long jump gold and becoming only the third Olympian to win the same individual event four times.
Over his career, Lewis achieved numerous world records and received several honours, including being named "Sportsman of the Century" by the International Olympic Committee and "World Athlete of the Century" by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
Lewis retired from competitive track and field in 1997.
4. Robert Emmiyan
His personal best (8.86 metres) still stands as the current European record
He won a silver medal at the World Championships in 1987
He became President of the Armenian Athletic Federation in 2010
Robert Emmiyan is celebrated as one of the greatest European long jumpers in history!
Representing both the USSR and later, independent Armenia, his athletic journey is marked by several achievements that went into the history books.
For example, Emmiyan's personal best jump of 8.86 metres, achieved in Tsaghkadzor in May 1987, still stands as the current European record and ranks as the fourth-best long jump in history.
Throughout his career, Emmiyan further secured two European indoor championships and a silver medal at the World Championships in 1987.
Notably, he clinched gold at the 1986 European Championships with an 8.41-metre jump, setting a championship record that still remains unbroken.
In the 1986 politically contested Goodwill Games in Moscow, he not only won gold but also set a new European record with an 8.61-metre jump.
Yet, his journey wasn’t without challenges. He suffered an injury at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul and later faced personal tragedy when his hometown was devastated by an earthquake, resulting in the loss of his father and a toll on his mental well-being.
After retiring from competitive jumping, Emmiyan became the President of the Armenian Athletic Federation in 2010 and also worked as a coach in France.
His inspiring legacy endures, serving as a source of motivation for aspiring long jumpers and athletes worldwide.
5. Erick Walder
He won 10 NCAA long jump and triple jump titles
He achieved fourth place in the long jump at the 1993 World Championships
He competed until his retirement in 2010
Erick Walder is another long-jumping legend whose talent helped him write his name in the history books.
Walder’s journey began during his college days when he competed for the University of Arkansas.
He exhibited outstanding prowess by clinching 10 NCAA long jump and triple jump titles, both indoor and outdoor. Remarkably, his collegiate outdoor long jump record of 28 feet 8.25 inches (8.7440 metres) still stands strong.
On the international stage, Erik represented the United States with distinction. He achieved fourth place in the long jump at the 1993 World Championships and second place at the 1997 World Championships.
With a personal best jump of 8.74 metres, he claimed the title of World Championship gold medalist and earned two bronze medals at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in 1995 and 1999.
Notably, he also secured two silver medals at the Goodwill Games in 1994 and 1998. His consistency earned him rankings among the top 10 long jumpers globally and the title of the best long jumper in the US three times.
However, Walder faced a setback when he tested positive for a banned medication in 2004, resulting in an IAAF suspension. He made a comeback in 2007 and competed professionally until his retirement in 2010.
6. Dwight Phillips
He won a gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics
His personal best jump is 8.74 metres (achieved in 2009)
He won the IAAF indoor and outdoor World Championships
Dwight Philips stands as one of the greatest long jumpers in the 21st century. His impressive career includes four World Championship gold medals and a remarkable gold medal win at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Notably, his personal best jump of 8.74 metres, achieved in 2009, places him among the top five long jumpers of all-time.
His journey began with a promising sprinting career but he transitioned to long jump while at the University of Kentucky, and he later practised the sport at Arizona State University in 2000.
In 2003, he gained prominence by winning both the IAAF indoor and outdoor World Championships, with the indoor event being a very close contest.
Phillips reached the pinnacle of his career at the 2004 Athens Olympics, securing a gold medal with a jump of 8.59 metres, establishing himself as one of the sport's finest.
He continued his success with gold at the 2005 Helsinki World Championships and bronze in Osaka in 2007.
In 2009, he achieved a personal best jump of 8.74 metres, solidifying his place among the sport's elite. This accomplishment placed him in the top 10 all-time performers, even with a challenging 1.2 metres/second headwind.
He proudly won gold at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin and repeated the feat in Daegu in 2011.
Phillips showcased his versatility by competing in the 60 and 100-metre dashes, recording a personal record of 10.06 seconds in the 100-metre.
However, Phillips faced setbacks, including injuries, and opted for surgery to prolong his career rather than compete in the 2012 London Olympics.
He eventually retired after the 2013 World Athletics Championships in Moscow. Nonetheless, as recognition of his outstanding contributions, Dwight Phillips was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2018.
7. Jackie Joyner-Kersee
She won three Olympic medals (one gold and two silver) in the long jump
She won a gold medal in the 1988 Soeul Olympics
Her long jump of 7.49m is currently at number two in history!
Jackie Joyner-Kersee is a celebrated American track and field athlete who made her mark as a long jumper.
Her illustrious career includes three Olympic medals (one gold and two silver) in the long jump, which firmly establishes her as one of the finest female long jumpers in history.
As an athlete, she was very versatile! Besides her long jump career, she further solidified her status with other remarkable achievements, including setting a world record in the heptathlon.
She took home the Olympic gold medal in long jump during the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and at the same event, she also clinched gold in the heptathlon.
Her long jump of 7.49m is still currently number two of all-time, just 3cm behind the world record, and bear in mind that she actually did it twice!
Throughout her career, especially in the 80s, 90s and early 00s, she won multiple awards and honours in numerous sports, including long jump.
In recognition of her contributions, she was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame in March 2023, solidifying her status as a legendary figure in the world of sports and philanthropy.
8. Heike Dreschler
She secured two World Championships in long jump in 1983 and 1993
She achieved two gold Olympic medals
Her jump of 7.63 metres in 1992 still stands as the furthest distance ever achieved by a woman
Heike Gabriela Drechsler is another female legend and renowned German long jumper with an exceptional career in the long jumping discipline.
As a teenager, she was actively involved in the Free German Youth (FDJ) and even earned a seat in the Volkskammer of East Germany in 1984.
Initially, Drechsler showcased her prowess as a highly competitive long jumper during her teenage years.
However, in 1986, at the age of 21, she embarked on a remarkable transition, venturing into the world of elite sprinting.
Her marriage to Andreas Drechsler in July 1984 led her to compete as Heike Drechsler, and under the guidance of her father-in-law, Erich Drechsler, she continued to achieve greatness.
Drechsler's extraordinary career extended far beyond her incredible long jump achievements.
She secured two World Championships in the long jump in 1983 and 1993, and she triumphed in both the long jump and the 200-metre sprint at the World Indoor Championships in 1987.
Her remarkable journey also featured numerous victories in European and German championships.
Throughout her career, Drechsler shared a fierce but friendly rivalry with long jump legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee. This rivalry pushed both athletes to new heights and added an exciting dimension to the sport.
In the year 1986, Drechsler accomplished incredible feats.
She not only equalled Marita Koch's 200-metre sprint world record of 21.71 seconds but she also set two long jump world records; for one, she secured her place in history with a remarkable leap of 7.48 metres.
Her achievements include two Olympic gold medals and one silver in the long jump, making her a dominant force in the field.
Notably, her jump of 7.63 metres, albeit wind-assisted, in 1992 at Sestriere still stands as the furthest distance ever achieved by a woman in the long jump.
She is the only female athlete to have won two Olympic gold medals in the long jump, triumphing in 1992 and 2000. Her contributions to the sport also extend to sprinting and setting world records.
Drechsler's extraordinary performances have set an exceptionally high standard for future generations of long jumpers, solidifying her legacy as one of the greatest in the discipline.
Do You Agree with Our Top Long Jumpers in History?
All of these exceptional athletes have achieved historic victories that earn them a lasting place in the sport's history books - and these icons serve as a profound source of inspiration to millions of people around the world.
Have we missed anyone off our list? Tell us in the comments!
