7500 Fans Celebrate World-Class Athletics at ISTAF INDOOR in Düsseldorf
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DÜSSELDORF – A thrilling afternoon of athletics unfolded at the ISTAF INDOOR in Düsseldorf, where world-class performances and a record-breaking crowd of 7550 fans created an electrifying atmosphere. The event featured breathtaking performances from Olympic champions Malaika Mihambo and Yemisi Ogunleye, along with a show-stopping pole vault victory by Torben Blech. The competition also saw sensational sprint victories and historic breakthroughs on the track.
Ogunleye Dominates Shot Put in ISTAF INDOOR Debut
Olympic shot put champion Yemisi Ogunleye (MTG Mannheim) capped off the ISTAF INDOOR with an outstanding throw of 19.78 meters, marking her first victory at the event. “The crowd was amazing—it was so much fun! I’m incredibly grateful to my coaches for helping me refine my technique,” said Ogunleye. This was the first time shot put was held inside the PSD BANK DOME, with the venue transforming in minutes to accommodate the discipline. Sweden’s Fanny Roos (18.82m) and Portugal’s Jessica Inchude (18.61m) finished in second and third, respectively. The athletes are set for a rematch at the ISTAF INDOOR Berlin on Friday.
Mihambo Takes Flight in Long Jump Take-Off Zone Premiere
For the first time, ISTAF INDOOR introduced a revolutionary 40-centimeter take-off zone for the long jump, eliminating invalid attempts and allowing precise measurements. The innovation was met with praise from both athletes and spectators.
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Four-time ISTAF INDOOR Düsseldorf champion Malaika Mihambo (LG Kurpfalz) soared to victory, leaping 6.87 meters in the fourth round. “The momentum is much better than jumping from the board with just half a foot,” Mihambo remarked, thanking the roaring crowd for their support. Her coach, Uli Knapp, embraced the new system, emphasizing its spectator-friendly nature.
Dutch athlete Pauline Hondema secured second place with a jump of 6.68 meters, narrowly edging out Bulgaria’s Plamena Mitkova (6.67m).
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Blech’s Triumph in Pole Vault Ignites the Crowd
Torben Blech electrified the PSD BANK DOME with his sensational 5.80-meter vault, securing victory and setting a new German best for the year. Overwhelmed with joy, Blech sprinted across the track, fists clenched in celebration. “I had goosebumps throughout the competition—the atmosphere was unbelievable! Now, I’m looking forward to ISTAF INDOOR Berlin,” he said, reflecting on his unexpected victory, having battled illness earlier in the week.
Blech fended off two-time world champion Sam Kendricks (USA), who cleared 5.70 meters, while Turkey’s Ersu Sasma matched the height to finish third. Local favorite Bo Kanda Lita Baehre (Düsseldorf Athletics) claimed fourth place with a jump of 5.65 meters.
Rising German Hurdles Stars Smash Barriers
German hurdles prodigies Rosina Schneider (TV Sulz) and Marlene Meier (TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen) thrilled the crowd with breakthrough performances in the 60m hurdles. Schneider stormed to victory in 7.96 seconds, with Meier close behind at 7.97 seconds—both athletes breaking the eight-second barrier for the first time. “It was an incredible battle! The fantastic fans played a huge role in pushing us forward,” Schneider said.
In the men’s hurdles, Jakub Szymanski (Poland) extended his winning streak at ISTAF INDOOR, clocking 7.51 seconds to secure a third consecutive title. Fresh off setting a national record in Lodz the night before (7.39 seconds), Szymanski overcame travel exhaustion to dominate in Düsseldorf. Spain’s Enrique Llopis (7.56s) edged out Germany’s Manuel Mordi (7.56s), who celebrated a new personal best.
Henrik Larsson and Bianca Williams Reign Supreme in Sprint Events
Sweden’s Henrik Larsson stormed to victory in the 60m sprint, clocking an impressive 6.54 seconds—just 0.01 seconds shy of his national record. “I wasn’t feeling my best today, but the energy from the crowd gave me an extra boost,” he said.
Chidiera Onuoha (ASV Köln) also shined, improving his personal best from 6.60 seconds in the preliminaries to 6.57 seconds in the final, marking a breakthrough performance. “Last year, I was a spectator, and now I’m competing—I want even more!” he exclaimed.
The women’s 60m sprint came down to the wire, with Bianca Williams (Great Britain) taking the win in 7.21 seconds, narrowly ahead of Amy Hunt (7.22s). Switzerland’s Geraldine Frey and Belgium’s Rani Rosius finished within hundredths of a second. Germany’s Sophia Junk (7.25s) claimed fifth place.
Gina Lückenkemper Withdraws as Precaution, Eyes ISTAF INDOOR Berlin
Sprint star Gina Lückenkemper (SCC Berlin) set a season-best time of 7.22 seconds in the preliminaries but withdrew from the final due to a minor thigh cramp. “It’s tough not to race the final, but I want to be ready for ISTAF INDOOR Berlin,” said the Olympic bronze medalist.
Felix Streng Blazes to Victory in Para-Sprint
Paralympic champion Felix Streng (Sprintteam Wetzlar) stunned the crowd with a lightning-fast 7.07-second victory in the 60m para-sprint, narrowly missing the meeting record by just 0.03 seconds. “The atmosphere was incredible! I’m ready for Berlin!” Streng said, as he prepares to face Olivier Hendriks (Netherlands; 7.42s) and Fabio Bottazzini (Italy; 7.53s) again at ISTAF INDOOR Berlin.
Event Organizers Hail Record-Breaking Success
With a record crowd of 7550 spectators, ISTAF INDOOR Düsseldorf cemented its status as one of the premier indoor athletics events worldwide.
Meeting Director Martin Seeber praised the event’s growing popularity: “The atmosphere was fantastic! Our fifth anniversary here at the PSD BANK DOME was a huge success, and we’re thrilled by the incredible performances and the shot put debut.”
Düsseldorf City Director Burkhard Hintzsche echoed the sentiment: “ISTAF INDOOR is unique—not just because of the outstanding performances, but also due to its well-structured schedule, ensuring spectators don’t miss a moment. It’s fantastic to see Düsseldorf athletes competing at such a high level.”
Next stop: ISTAF INDOOR Berlin on February 14th, where the world’s best athletes will once again take center stage.
