European indoor long jump champion Larissa Iapichino opened her season in impressive style in Ancona on Saturday (17), leaping 6.93m — her longest-ever season opener.
The mark is an early world lead and, more pertinently, just 4cm short of her indoor personal best. It secured her victory at the Alessio Giovannini Memorial, a World Athletics Indoor Tour Challenger meeting, and provides a solid foundation for the season ahead.
The 23-year-old, who won silver at the Roma 2024 European Athletics Championships, will be setting her sights on the podium again at the upcoming World Athletics Indoor Championships in Kujawy-Pomorze (Torun) on 20-22 March as well as a return to the European stage at Birmingham 2026 in August.
Also in Ancona, 2024 European U18 200m champion Elisa Valensin claimed a notable victory in the women’s 200m, defeating Italian 400m hurdles record holder Ayomide Folorunso with a time of 23.73.
Photo courtesy of Chiara Montesano