Wayne Pinnock will headline the men’s long jump competition at the Diamond League opener on April 26 in Xiamen, China. The Jamaican athlete enters the meet as one of the world’s top contenders, fresh off a series of impressive performances.
Pinnock won the silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a leap of 8.36 meters, becoming Jamaica’s first Olympic silver medallist in the long jump since 1996. He finished just behind Greece’s Miltiadis Tentoglou, who took gold with 8.48 meters. Pinnock’s silver marked a major milestone in his career and confirmed his status as a global elite jumper.
In 2023, Pinnock also earned silver at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, narrowly missing gold by two centimetres with a jump of 8.50 meters. That season, he set the world-leading mark of 8.54 meters during the qualification round, ranking third on both the University of Arkansas and Jamaican all-time lists.
Wayne Pinnock’s also won multiple NCAA titles, including the 2022 NCAA Outdoor and Indoor long jump championships. He also claimed several SEC titles, showcasing consistent dominance at the collegiate level.
Known for his explosive speed and technical skill, Pinnock combines raw athleticism with refined technique. He has steadily improved since his youth career, where he was a Pan Am Juniors champion and Jamaican U20 record holder in the long jump.
Wayne Pinnock approaches the Xiamen meeting with confidence and determination. He aims to build on his recent successes and challenge for the Diamond League title. His ongoing rivalry with other top jumpers, including compatriots Tajay Gayle and Carey McLeod, promises an exciting competition.
Wayne Pinnock Long Jump Career
Wayne Pinnock, a Jamaican long jumper born in 2000, has rapidly risen in the sport with significant achievements. He won both the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor long jump titles in 2022 while competing for Tennessee and later represented Arkansas.
Pinnock earned silver medals at the 2023 World Championships and the 2024 Summer Olympics, marking him as one of the top jumpers globally. He set a world-leading jump of 8.54 meters in 2023 and equalled the Jamaican indoor record with an 8.40-meter leap at the 2024 NCAA Indoor Championships.
Pinnock consistently ranks among the best, showing strong potential for future gold medals.
Tomorrow’s Diamond League opener offers Wayne Pinnock a chance to assert his dominance early in the 2025 season and continue his pursuit of global long jump supremacy.
