A TICKET TO BUDAPEST only came Gianmarco Tamberi’s way thanks to the good grace of World Athletics, who reckoned that his crowd-pulling power was worth it and gave him a wildcard.
But it was an inspired decision by the sport’s governing body.
Once again, and with only 6 meets to his name in the previous year, albeit a modest collection that included a Euro title with 7-7¼ (2.32) in August, Tamberi literally and metaphorically rose to the occasion.
Coming in at 7-3¼ (2.22), he cleared that and the next height of 7-5 (2.26) at the first time of asking.
Five men were still in the competition at 7-6½ (2.30). All failed with their first try before Tamberi went clear with his second attempt while erstwhile world leader JuVaughn Harrison got over on his third attempt.
After playing to the gallery during his early attempts, Tamberi then asked for quiet for his first attempt at 7-7¾ (2.33). He raised his arm on which he’d inscribed “Showtime Baby” before going clear with the slightest of touches from his heels.
The gauntlet was thrown down to Harrison, who had finished with the silver when Tamberi won the ’23 Worlds gold in the same stadium.
The American failed and then wisely, with no advantage to be gained by taking further attempts at the height, passed as the bar moved to a world-leading 7-8½ (2.35).
The music was back for Tamberi’s first attempt at the new height and the crowd joined in the festivities with the ’21 Olympic gold medalist being urged on.
He responded by soaring clear, with space to spare, joking and gesticulating as he left the mat, “Too low.”
Harrison then passed again after witnessing Tamberi go clear and so the bar moved up to 7-9¼ (2.37).
Both men failed with their first attempts — with Harrison looking to go into new territory with a lifetime best of 7-8¾ (2.36). But then Tamberi wriggled over with his second try, the bar oscillating up and down, which meant Harrison had to go for broke at 7-10 (2.39).
Secure in his belief that 7-10 was beyond his rival on this occasion, Tamberi sat out this height and watched as Harrison had a solitary, unsuccessful, attempt. That left the half-bearded Italian to ending his night with three attempts at 7-10¾ (2.41), all accompanied by a raucous response from the crowd.
A delighted Tamberi said, “It was an amazing night. I came here with great memories from the World Championships in 2023, so I was looking forward to competing here knowing that it is an amazing place to jump.
“This really has been a comeback. My career path has very tough because, if I look at the ups and downs, I cannot even say which one was the most difficult to come back from.
“After I was not able to get to the final in Tokyo last year, people started to say that it’s my time to retire. It was difficult to hear and to struggle against all these feelings.
“Finally, I’m here with 2.37. Now I can say to everyone: ‘Never stop believing in your dreams, never put a limit on yourself.’
“I knew I could jump much higher this season, that I could reach new heights. Then, with the bar at 2.41, I relived my career a little, which taught me not to be afraid of anything. I proved to myself that I’m at the level of my best years.”
The height of 7-10¾ is a poignant one for Tamberi and perhaps his attempts in Budapest exorcised some ghosts.
The last time he attempted a bar that high in competition was at the fateful ’16 Monaco DL.
After clearing a 7-10 NR, attempting 2.41 he tore his left ankle ligament which required surgery and ruled him out of the Rio ’16 Olympics a few weeks later, when he would have expected to have been among the contenders for gold.
UC MEN’S HIGH JUMP RESULTS
(September 13)
1. Gianmarco Tamberi (Ita) 7-9¼ (2.37) (WL)
(7-3¼, 7-5, 7-6½ [2], 7-7¾, 7-8½, 7-9¼ [2], 7-10¾ [xxx]) (2.22, 2.26, 2.30 [2], 2.33, 2.35, 2.37 [2], 2.41 [xxx])
2. JuVaughn Harrison (US) 7-6½ (2.30)
(7-1½, 7-3¼, 7-5, 7-6½ [3], 7-7¾ [x], 7-9¼ [x], 7-10 [x]) (2.17, 2.22, 2.26, 2.30 [3], 2.33 [x], 2.37 [x], 2.39 [x])
3. Erik Portillo (Mex) 7-5 (2.26)
(7-1½, 7-3¼, 7-5, 7-6½ [xxx]) (2.17, 2.22, 2.26, 2.30 [xxx])
4. Oleh Doroshchuk (Ukr) 7-5 (2.26)
(7-1½, 7-3¼, 7-5 [2], 7-6½ [xxx]) (2.17, 2.22, 2.26 [2], 2.30 [xxx])
5. Romaine Beckford (Jam) 7-5 (2.26)
(7-1½ [2], 7-3¼, 7-5 [2], 7-6½ [xxx]) (2.17 [2], 2.22, 2.26 [2], 2.30 [xxx])
6. Mateusz Kołodziejski (Pol) 7-3¼ (2.22)
=7. Tyus Wilson (US) 7-1½ (2.17)
=7. Jan Štefela (CzR) 7-1½ (2.17).
