It has been exactly 30 years since British athletics legend Jonathan Edwards etched his name into sporting history by setting the men’s triple jump world record — a record that still remains unbroken in 2025.
On August 7, 1995, at the IAAF World Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, Edwards stunned the world by leaping a mind-blowing 18.29 meters (60 feet) — a feat no athlete has since matched, let alone surpassed.
What made the jump so remarkable wasn’t just the distance, but the effortless fluidity with which Edwards executed it. Earlier that day, he had already broken the world record with a jump of 18.16 meters, becoming the first man to legally surpass the 18-meter barrier. But it was the second jump, just hours later, that would go down as the greatest in triple jump history.
“It felt like I was flying,” Edwards once recalled. “I hit the board perfectly, and everything after that just clicked.”
Experts attribute his success to a perfect combination of biomechanics, speed, technique, and mental focus. Edwards was known for his remarkable run-up velocity, meticulous rhythm, and ability to maintain forward momentum through each phase — hop, step, and jump — with near-perfect form.
A devout Christian at the time, Edwards often credited his faith for giving him calmness and confidence under pressure. He later transitioned to a successful career as a broadcaster and public figure, but his record remains untouched, inspiring generations of athletes.
Despite the rise of new talent and advancements in sports science, no one has come closer than 18.14 meters, making Edwards’ jump not just a record but a legendary benchmark in track and field.
