“Bring the medals back to American Long Jumpers,” said the spirited long jumper. Continuing, Williams elaborated how the poor performances have drifted the long jumpers away from other sports disciplines that have been bringing medals and, with it, fanfare and expectations. He said, “Like I said, it’s been a big disconnect with the Long Jumpers and the sprinters and everything. The sprinters get their medals for doing their part, then the Long Jumpers get on the world stage and somehow we fall apart.”
The stats are damning. The US jumpers have brought only 1 medal in the last 6 global competitions. When was the last time a US long jumper finished on the podium at the Olympics? It was 8 years ago in the Rio Olympics. Jeff Henderson clinched the gold in 2016, but since then no American has finished in the top-3.
“We’re gonna put everything together when it matters and bring the medals back home.”
American men have only picked up one long jump medal across the last six global championships. Will Williams wants to change that this year.
Training insights, focus on marks vs.… pic.twitter.com/ri09Q4yQQ1
— CITIUS MAG (@CitiusMag) February 23, 2025
Things have also not looked good in the World Athletics Indoor Championships. The last time a US long jumper brought a medal home from that competition was in 2022 when Marquis Dendy won bronze. It’s even worse when we look at the World Athletics Championships. It was back in 2019 that a US athlete got a podium place in that tournament. It is a familiar name for Jeff Henderson, who got silver in the long jump event.
Compare that with the medal tally in sprints or gymnastics. Just taking the Olympics into consideration, the USA gymnastics men’s contingent has got 4 medals in the time the US long jumpers have got 1. And as far as track is concerned, just the 100-meter sprint has seen 5 medals across the 3 Olympics. The long jumpers need to pull up their socks.
That’s exactly what Will Williams intends to do and hopes his teammates will follow suit. The plan is simple: “This year we’re coming in with a lot more experience, a lot more speed, technique, power, and everything. We’re going to put everything together when it matters and bring the medals back home.” The avid long jump fans will like the sound of that.
Winning at the USATF indoors has given Will the confidence that he is on the right path. It is a prominent competition after all, and the 2025 edition has been exciting as usual. The field athletes have started with a bang and are already looking promising for the international season.
Track and Field competition sees season-bests and familiar winners
Held across 2 days on February 22 and 23, the national competition has been seeing close fights. The stakes are high. The winners and the top performers book their place on the teams for the World Indoor Championships from March 21 to 23.
With that target, the athletes have left it all on the field to get some spectacular and thrilling results. Adrian Piperi won the men’s shot put final, thanks to a thrilling end that saw him launch the winning throw in his last attempt. The former Texas Longhorn was the only one in the lineup to cross 70 feet (70-6.5).
In comparison to this thrilling end, Vernon Turner came out and made the best attempt on his first try only. In the high jump event, Turner cleared 7-4.5, which was also his season-best. Incidentally, he was the only one who cleared the bar. But still, 2nd and 3rd placed Elijah Kosiba and Earnest Sears were good enough to book their spots in the 2025 World Indoor Championships to be held in China.
On to the Women’s High Jump Final, Vashti Cunningham continued her winning form by clinching her ninth-strength indoor national title. Her winning jump of 6-4.25 was enough to beat Charity Hufnagel and Jenna Rogers, who jumped 6-4.25 and 6-3.5, respectively. This was also the 15th professional title for the 27-year-old.
There was no surprise in the Women’s Triple Jump Final. Jasmine Moore entered his best event and by the 2nd jump, she had established her lead. Her winning jump came just on her 3rd attempt, as she won by almost a foot by getting the season-best 45-7.25. Mylana Hearn and Makenzy Mizera were 2nd and 3rd with scores of 44-7.5 and 41-3.25. Jasmine Moore, by the way, also finished third in the long jump final event 24 hours ago.
In the Women’s Weight Throw Final, the excitement of the USATF Indoors Championship was truly out in the open. The nail-biter of a finish saw the top 5 throw their best mark, that too in the final 3 rounds of the event. Eventually, it was won by Rachel Richeson on her 6th and final throw with a mark of 82-10.5. She was clear of 2nd-placed Erin Reese by over a foot. Jalani Davis finished 3rd with 81-4.5.
The field events gave the fans a clear glimpse of what to expect going ahead, while the tracks saw consolidation and new records. All in one, it was yet another amazing USATF Indoors Championship.
The post “Bring the Medals Back”: American Track and Field Star Issues Bold Statement After Winning Title at USATF Indoor Championships appeared first on EssentiallySports.
