22nd March 2025 07:15
For Andy Diaz Hernandez, a single leap was enough. It was all he needed to stamp his authority on the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing. One perfect bound through the air, one seamless collision of speed, power, and precision, and the rest of the field was left chasing shadows.
His opening-round effort of 17.80m—a world lead and an Italian indoor record—secured Italy’s first gold of the championships in spectacular fashion. It was the longest jump seen at these championships since Teddy Tamgho’s 17.90m world record in 2010 and catapulted Diaz Hernandez to fifth on the all-time world indoor list.
By the end of the night, the result was beyond doubt. China’s Zhu Yaming had delighted the home crowd with 17.33m, securing silver, while defending champion Hugues Fabrice Zango of Burkina Faso took bronze with 17.15m. But the only man on the night who came close to touching greatness had done so in the very first round.
From Havana to Rome
Born in Havana, Cuba, on Christmas Day in 1995, Diaz Hernandez grew up in a country where triple jump success is woven into the fabric of athletics history. The echoes of Pedro Pérez Dueñas, Yoelbi Quesada, and Alexis Copello followed him as he honed his craft, perfecting the technical artistry required to excel in one of track and field’s most demanding disciplines.
Yet it was in Italy that Diaz Hernandez truly took off. Since switching allegiance and joining Fiamme Gialle, the elite Italian military sports club, his rise has been nothing short of remarkable. Under the watchful eye of Fabrizio Donato—himself an Olympic bronze medallist from London 2012—he has refined his technique, balanced his explosive power, and developed the consistency needed to dominate on the biggest stages.
Golden Leap
Heading into Nanjing, Diaz Hernandez was the clear favourite. Just weeks earlier, he had claimed the European Indoor title in Apeldoorn with a world-leading 17.71m, and his form suggested something special was in store. What followed was a demonstration of supreme confidence and efficiency.
One jump. 17.80m. National record. World lead. Job done.
From that moment on, the competition became a battle for silver and bronze. With a long delay between attempts disrupting his rhythm, Diaz Hernandez took no further risks. A foul in the second round was followed by three strategic passes, before he lined up for a final attempt in the sixth round—only to jog through, his work already complete.
Afterwards, he admitted that his original plan had been to take multiple attempts, but the long gaps between jumps forced a change in strategy. “I was quite inactive for too long, and this led to the decision of skipping the following attempts,” he explained. “But I feel strong, and this is indicative that good jumps could happen this summer.”
Eyes on Tokyo
With Olympic bronze already in his collection from Tokyo, Diaz Hernandez is now focused on the World Championships in Tokyo this September, where he will look to add yet another major title to his growing legacy. His speed, strength, and supreme technical control make him one of the most formidable jumpers on the planet, and his form this season suggests a new personal best could be just around the corner.
But away from the intensity of competition, there is another side to Andy Diaz Hernandez. The disciplined, explosive athlete who soars through the air is also a man who finds joy in dancing—a pastime that mirrors the rhythm, fluidity, and coordination required to master the triple jump.
If his movement on the dance floor is anything like his movement on the runway, then there is little doubt: Andy Diaz Hernandez is a man built to fly. And as Tokyo looms, the world will be watching to see just how far he can go.