Furlani, Bapte and Bradford set world leads at Meeting de Paris Indoor
World leads fell across the jumps, hurdles and vault at the Meeting de Paris Indoor, a World Athletics Indoor Tour Silver stop, on Sunday, January 25 as Italy’s Mattia Furlani soared to a meeting record 8.33m in the long jump, France’s Laeticia Bapte blasted a blistering 7.92 in the 60m hurdles, and USA’s Zachery Bradford matched the global best with 5.90m in the pole vault. Backed by an electric home crowd, the World Athletics Indoor Tour Silver stop delivered a string of statement performances and early-season markers as athletes laid down their intent for the 2026 indoor campaign.
Italy’s Mattia Furlani launched his 2026 season in spectacular fashion, flying out to a world-leading and meeting record 8.33m in the long jump at the Meeting de Paris.
The reigning world champion looked in commanding form from the outset, producing a remarkably consistent series that included four jumps beyond 8.20m. His winning mark of 8.33m not only set the early global standard but also underlined his status as the man to beat this indoor season.
Bulgaria’s 21-year-old Bozhidar Saraboyukov continued his strong start to the year, taking second with 8.15m in just his second competition of 2026. Sweden’s Thobias Montler cleared 7.97m for the second time this season to secure third, while France’s two-time world U20 champion Erwan Konate finished fourth with 7.84m in front of the home crowd.
Apeldoorn 2025 European Indoor bronze medallist Lester Lescay placed fifth with 7.74m, and France’s Jules Pommery rounded out the field with 7.64m.
Men's Long Jump Results
| Place | Athlete | Country | Best | Notes | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mattia Furlani | ITA | 8.33 | WL | 7.70 | 8.33 | 8.18 | 8.22 | 8.27 | 8.20 |
| 2 | Bozhidar Saraboyukov | BUL | 8.15 | SB | 7.93 | 8.15 | 8.12 | 8.00 | 8.00 | 8.11 |
| 3 | Thobias Montler | SWE | 7.97 | SB | 7.77 | 7.59 | X | 7.90 | 7.73 | 7.97 |
| 4 | Erwan Konate | FRA | 7.84 | SB | 7.84 | X | 7.74 | X | X | r |
| 5 | Lester Lescay | ESP | 7.74 | SB | 7.68 | 7.62 | 7.66 | 7.74 | 7.62 | r |
| 6 | Jules Pommery | FRA | 7.64 | 7.38 | 7.64 | 5.87 | X | 7.60 | r |
Bapte headlines hurdles with world lead
On the track, France’s Laeticia Bapte delivered one of the performances of the night, storming to a world-leading 7.92 seconds in the women’s 60m hurdles. Roared on by the Paris crowd, Bapte clocked her fastest-ever season opener to take a convincing win.
Ireland’s Sarah Lavin followed closely in 7.98, comfortably achieving the qualifying standard for the Kujawy Pomorze 2026 World Indoor Championships as she builds momentum toward a global medal challenge.
The men’s 60m hurdles produced another fast race, with USA’s Darius Brown taking the win in 7.54. France’s Erwann Cinna was second in 7.62, narrowly ahead of Jamaica’s Lafranz Campbell (7.63) and fellow Frenchman Romain Lecoeur, who recorded the same time.
Women's 60m Hurdles Final Results:
| Pos. | Name | Nat. | Result |
| 1 | BAPTE Laeticia | FRA | 7.92 (0.161) WL |
| 2 | LAVIN Sarah | IRL | 7.98 (0.121) SB |
| 3 | GROOT Mira | NED | 8.02 (0.144) PB |
| 4 | COMPPER Solenn | FRA | 8.13 (0.159) |
| 5 | JOHNSON Alaysha | USA | 8.15 (0.168) |
| 6 | ALESSANDRINI Sacha | FRA | 8.15 (0.161) |
Bradford matches world lead in pole vault
The men’s pole vault also delivered top-quality action as American Zachery Bradford equalled the world lead with a clearance of 5.90m. France’s Baptiste Thiery delighted local supporters with a season-best 5.80m for second place.
Van der Weken dominates 60m sprint
Luxembourg’s Patrizia van der Weken, the Nanjing 2025 world indoor bronze medallist, continued her excellent indoor campaign by winning the women’s 60m in 7.16 for her fifth race of the season over the distance.
USA’s Sings Clinkscale equalled her personal best of 7.23 to finish second, while Portugal’s national record holder Lorene Dorcas Bazolo claimed third in 7.26. Italy’s rising 16-year-old Kelly Doualla impressed with 7.28 in her seasonal debut, placing fourth.
Men's 60m Final
Ali Al Balushi from Oman took comanding victory in the men's 60m final, clocking 6.52 season's best.
Diame takes women’s long jump
In the women’s competition, Spain’s two-time world indoor medallist Fatima Diame clinched victory with a second-round leap of 6.57m. Despite struggling to register valid attempts in the final three rounds, her early mark proved decisive in a tight contest.
With world leads, meeting records and several early-season statements, the Meeting de Paris once again proved a key launchpad for the indoor campaign as athletes sharpen their form ahead of the championship season.
