Long jump is one of the most iconic and explosive events in track and field, demanding a unique blend of speed, strength, technique, and precision. From the ancient Olympic Games to modern-day world championships, long jumpers have thrilled fans with record-breaking performances and dramatic finishes measured down to the final centimeter. Over the decades, this event has produced some of the most remarkable athletes in athletics history, whose names are now etched in gold.
The top 10 long jumpers in athletics history represent the pinnacle of human performance. These elite athletes have soared across the world’s greatest stages—from the Olympics to the World Athletics Championships—pushing the boundaries of what’s physically possible. Their dedication to refining every step of the approach, mastering the take-off, and executing perfect flight mechanics has led to unforgettable moments that define the sport.
In this list of the top 10 long jumpers, you’ll find legendary figures like Bob Beamon, whose 1968 Olympic leap stood as a world record for over two decades, and Carl Lewis, whose Olympic dominance inspired a generation. From Mike Powell’s unbelievable 8.95m world record to modern stars continuing to challenge those benchmarks, these jumpers have elevated athletics to new heights—literally and metaphorically.
This blog celebrates not just their distances, but their consistency, impact, and legacy within the sport. Whether it was through Olympic golds, world records, or decade-long dominance, each jumper on this list has earned their place through sheer brilliance. The top 10 long jumpers of all time are more than just athletes—they are icons of human potential, leaping beyond limits to redefine history.
Top 10 Long Jumpers Who Created History :
10. Greg Rutherford (Great Britain)
Greg Rutherford earned his place among the top 10 long jumpers in athletics history by achieving one of the sport’s rarest feats—a complete set of major titles. A powerful and technically sound jumper, Rutherford captured Olympic gold at the London 2012 Games, thrilling a home crowd with a clutch performance that placed him among the sport’s elite.
Often underestimated in early years, Rutherford peaked at exactly the right time. He followed up his Olympic win with gold at the 2015 World Championships, as well as victories at both the Commonwealth Games and European Championships. While his personal best of 8.51 meters isn’t among the all-time farthest, his consistency and mental strength in major finals made him one of the most dependable long jumpers of his era.
Rutherford’s legacy is built not only on medals but on his ability to deliver under pressure. As one of the top 10 long jumpers, he inspired a new generation in Great Britain and left a lasting mark on the event with his championship mindset and composed execution on the runway.
| Personal Best | 8.51 m (2014) |
9. Robert Emmiyan (Soviet Union / Armenia)
Robert Emmiyan is one of the most technically gifted athletes to ever compete in long jump, and his astonishing personal best of 8.86 meters still ranks among the longest jumps in history. Representing the Soviet Union during the 1980s, Emmiyan’s explosive power and near-flawless technique earned him a spot among the top 10 long jumpers of all time.
His greatest leap came in 1987 at Tsakhkadzor, Armenia, when he jumped 8.86 meters—the second-longest jump in history at that time. That same year, he won silver at the World Championships in Rome, narrowly missing gold to Carl Lewis. Emmiyan also secured the European Championship title in 1986, dominating his competition with both distance and consistency.
Despite his career being partially limited by the political changes in the early 1990s and injuries, his legacy endures. His mark remains the European record to this day and has stood unchallenged for over three decades.
Robert Emmiyan’s inclusion in the top 10 long jumpers is a tribute to raw talent, mechanical precision, and a legacy defined by one of the longest jumps the world has ever seen.
| Personal Best | 8.86 m (1987) |
8. Will Claye (United States)
Will Claye is one of the rare athletes to master both the long jump and triple jump at an elite level. While he’s often celebrated for his triple jump medals, Claye’s achievements in long jump place him firmly among the top 10 long jumpers in athletics history. His remarkable versatility, technical brilliance, and medal-winning consistency make him a standout across multiple events.
Claye won silver in the long jump at the 2012 London Olympics, demonstrating his world-class capability in a highly competitive field. His personal best of 8.29 meters may not rank near the all-time longest distances, but his ability to jump at the highest level across disciplines is unmatched. He is a two-time Olympic silver medalist in triple jump and a bronze medalist in long jump—an extraordinary combination that highlights his athletic range.
What sets Claye apart and earns him a place among the top 10 long jumpers is his ability to maintain elite form over a decade while competing at the highest level in two grueling events. His commitment to technical refinement and mental preparation is evident in every performance.
| Personal Best | 8.29 m (2012) |
7. Iván Pedroso (Cuba)
Iván Pedroso is one of the most consistent long jumpers the sport has ever seen and a true legend of Cuban athletics. With an incredible streak of dominance in the 1990s and early 2000s, Pedroso rightfully earns his place among the top 10 long jumpers in athletics history. His technique, timing, and calm under pressure helped him win at the highest levels repeatedly.
Pedroso claimed four consecutive World Championship titles between 1995 and 2001 and added an Olympic gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Games. His personal best of 8.71 meters, achieved indoors, is among the longest in history. He was renowned for his ability to deliver clutch performances in major championships, even when battling injuries or tough conditions.
What makes Pedroso a standout among the top 10 long jumpers is his longevity and dominance across nearly a decade. He also mentored other elite athletes later in his career, contributing to the sport beyond his own medals. His precision on the runway and consistent flight mechanics remain textbook examples for future jumpers.
| Personal Best | 8.71 m (1995) |
6. Jarrion Lawson (United States)
Jarrion Lawson represents the new generation of elite American long jumpers who continue to push the boundaries of the sport. A standout at both the collegiate and international levels, Lawson earns his place among the top 10 long jumpers for his blend of raw athleticism, precision, and record-breaking performances.
In 2016, Lawson made headlines by becoming the first male athlete since Jesse Owens to win the 100m, 200m, and long jump titles at the NCAA Championships in the same year. He followed that collegiate dominance with a silver medal at the 2017 World Championships in London, missing gold by just one centimeter to South Africa’s Luvo Manyonga. His personal best stands at a remarkable 8.58 meters, placing him among the top global performers of the last decade.
What secures his position among the top 10 long jumpers is not only his distance, but his ability to compete under pressure in high-stakes finals. His versatility across sprints and long jump mirrors past greats like Carl Lewis and showcases the crossover strength of explosive speed and jumping power.
| Personal Best | 8.58 m (2017) |
5. Luvo Manyonga (South Africa)
Luvo Manyonga’s journey from adversity to global success is one of the most compelling stories in athletics. With his explosive power and smooth technique, Manyonga carved out his legacy as one of the top 10 long jumpers in modern track and field. His performances between 2016 and 2018 redefined the event in terms of consistency and distance.
After overcoming personal struggles early in his career, Manyonga made a dramatic comeback by winning the silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He followed that up by claiming the gold medal at the 2017 World Championships in London with an 8.48-meter leap and then won silver at the 2019 Worlds. His personal best of 8.65 meters ranks among the longest legal jumps of the 21st century.
What makes Manyonga one of the top 10 long jumpers is not just his distances, but the way he inspired others through his resilience. His light, rhythmic run-up and soaring flight phase became a hallmark of major competitions, captivating audiences and pushing rivals to their limits.
| Personal Best | 8.65 m (2017) |
4. Larry Myricks (United States)
Larry Myricks may be one of the most underrated legends in track and field history. Competing during the same era as Carl Lewis and Mike Powell, Myricks delivered world-class performances for over a decade, earning him a firm spot among the top 10 long jumpers of all time. His ability to remain competitive in such a stacked field speaks volumes about his consistency and talent.
Myricks was a two-time World Championship bronze medalist (1983 and 1987) and an Olympic bronze medalist in 1988. He won four US national titles and consistently recorded jumps beyond 8.50 meters throughout the 1980s. His personal best of 8.74 meters, achieved in 1988, places him among the longest jumpers in history.
What sets Larry Myricks apart as one of the top 10 long jumpers is his incredible longevity. He competed at the highest level from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, often finishing behind only the most elite jumpers in the world. Despite missing the 1980 Olympics due to the US boycott, Myricks still built a medal-laden career that defined an entire generation.
| Personal Best | 8.74 m (1988) |
3. Carl Lewis (United States)
Carl Lewis is one of the most iconic figures in all of athletics, and his dominance in the long jump is a key reason he ranks among the top 10 long jumpers in history. Known for his smooth speed, incredible consistency, and unmatched mental focus, Lewis ruled the long jump pit for nearly two decades.
He won four consecutive Olympic gold medals in the long jump from 1984 to 1996—an achievement that remains unmatched in any jumping event. His personal best of 8.87 meters ranks among the longest legal jumps ever recorded, but more remarkable was his ability to repeatedly perform at the highest level during major championships.
Lewis also claimed two World Championship titles (1983, 1987) and regularly jumped over 8.50 meters in top-tier competition. His fierce rivalry with Mike Powell culminated in the legendary 1991 World Championship final in Tokyo, where Lewis jumped 8.91 meters—wind-aided—only to be surpassed by Powell’s world record.
Carl Lewis earns his place among the top 10 long jumpers not only through his medals but also by elevating the global profile of the event. His presence, professionalism, and consistent brilliance defined an era.
| Personal Best | 8.87 m (1991) |
2. Mike Powell (United States)
Mike Powell holds one of the most iconic records in sports history—his monumental 8.95-meter leap at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo shattered Bob Beamon’s long-standing record and firmly placed him among the top 10 long jumpers of all time. That jump, executed in a dramatic showdown with Carl Lewis, remains the longest legal long jump ever recorded.
Despite competing in the same era as the dominant Carl Lewis, Powell carved his own legacy with fearless competitiveness and unmatched explosiveness. He won two World Championship gold medals (1991, 1993) and claimed Olympic silver twice (1988 and 1992). His style was aggressive yet controlled, often gaining momentum through sheer intensity and mental focus.
What truly defines Powell’s place among the top 10 long jumpers is that one unforgettable moment in Tokyo—when he soared into history and broke a record many thought untouchable. Even decades later, no one has surpassed his mark, underscoring the magnitude of his achievement.
Powell’s world record is not just a number; it’s a symbol of peak human performance and one of the greatest moments in athletics history.
| Personal Best | 8.95 m (1991) |
1. Bob Beamon (United States)
Bob Beamon’s name is forever etched into the fabric of track and field history thanks to one of the most legendary performances ever witnessed. At the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Beamon produced a mind-blowing leap of 8.90 meters—obliterating the previous world record by 55 centimeters. That single jump instantly made him not just a champion, but a global icon and the undisputed number one among the top 10 long jumpers of all time.
What makes Beamon’s achievement even more remarkable is that he had never jumped close to that distance before. In perfect conditions—thin air, fast runway, and supreme form—he executed the “leap of the century,” a jump so far ahead of its time that the measurement system failed to register it immediately. His record stood unbroken for nearly 23 years.
While Beamon didn’t have a long medal-laden career like Carl Lewis or Mike Powell, the magnitude and impact of that one performance define his legacy. His jump redefined the limits of human capability in the long jump and inspired generations of athletes around the world.
Beamon’s place among the top 10 long jumpers is undisputed—not just for what he jumped, but for how dramatically he changed the sport in a single moment.
| Personal Best | 8.90 m (1968) |
FAQs
Q1. Who are the top 10 long jumpers in history?
The top 10 long jumpers include Bob Beamon, Mike Powell, Carl Lewis, Larry Myricks, Luvo Manyonga, Jarrion Lawson, Iván Pedroso, Will Claye, Robert Emmiyan, and Greg Rutherford.
Q2. Who holds the long jump world record?
Mike Powell holds the men’s long jump world record with a jump of 8.95 meters set in 1991 at the World Championships in Tokyo.
Q3. What is Bob Beamon famous for in long jump?
Bob Beamon is known for his 8.90-meter jump at the 1968 Olympics, which stood as the world record for 23 years and is considered one of the greatest sports moments.
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