Bahamas’ fast rising sprinter looks to capitalize on high profile absence to claim her crown in Nanjing
The absence of the Olympic medallists from the women’s long jump at the World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25 adds an element of unpredictability, creating a perfect stage for emerging talents to shine.
With several rising stars already making waves this season, the competition promises to deliver breakthrough performances as athletes aim to seize the moment and establish themselves on the global stage.
Topping this list is Anthaya Charlton, the 21-year-old younger sister of world 60m hurdles record-holder Devynne Charlton. The Bahamian national champion, who represents the University of Florida, delivered a breakout performance at the Razorback Invitational in January, leaping to an outright national record of 6.98m.
The distance also placed her second on the US collegiate indoor all-time list, surpassing the 6.93m achieved by Olympic champion Tara Davis-Woodhall in 2021, and putting her behind only Olympic bronze medallist Jasmine Moore with her 7.03m from 2023.
Charlton’s 6.98m also stood as the world lead until Malaika Mihambo, the Olympic silver medallist in Paris, surpassed it with a 7.07m effort. As Charlton prepares to make her World Indoors debut, she is expected to be a serious contender for the gold medal and will aim to carry her impressive form on to the global stage.
Swiss athlete Annik Kalin is another strong contender. Her season’s best of 6.95m is just 3cm shy of Charlton’s leading mark, positioning her as a serious threat for a podium finish.
A versatile athlete, Kalin finished fourth in the heptathlon at the Paris Olympic Games and she arrives in Nanjing fresh off claiming the European indoor silver medal in the long jump, where she was narrowly beaten by Larissa Iapichino.
USA’s Monae’ Nichols and Spain’s Fatima Diame, the silver and bronze medallists from the Glasgow World Indoor Championships last year, will aim to replicate or improve on their performances when they compete in Nanjing.
Both athletes arrive with identical season’s bests of 6.73m. With the competition heating up, both jumpers will need to dig deep to maintain their elite status against a rising generation of talent.
Serbian athlete Milica Gardasevic will be eager to claim a medal at the WIC Nanjing 25 following near misses at major events. After finishing sixth at last year’s World Indoors and fourth at the European Indoors, she will aim to break on to the podium this time around. With a season’s best of 6.75m, Gardasevic has shown she is in form and capable of challenging the leading contenders.
Alina Rotaru-Kottmann, the Budapest world bronze medallist and Paris Olympics finalist, will need to elevate her performance if she hopes to contend for a medal. With a season’s best of 6.41m, the Romanian athlete could pose a significant threat in a competitive field if she can recapture the form that earned her a World Championships medal.
Other athletes who will fancy their chances are USA’s Claire Bryant 6.72m), Anna Matuszewicz of Poland (6.71m), Bulgarian Plamena Mitkova (6.70m), Great Britain’s Funminiyi Olajide (6.67m) and African Games bronze medallist from Nigeria, Prestina Ochonogor (6.64m).
