Bulgarian athletics prodigy Bozhidar Saraboyukov continues his stellar international campaign, capturing the bronze medal in the men’s long jump at the second meet of the Diamond League season held in Xiamen, China.
Saraboyukov, the reigning 2025 European Indoor Long Jump Champion from Apeldoorn, secured his place on the podium with a powerful leap of 8.29 meters on his very first attempt. The national record holder struggled with consistency throughout the rest of the event, registering only one other successful jump of 8.12 meters, while his remaining four attempts resulted in fouls.
A Strong Start to the Outdoor Season
This bronze medal further establishes Saraboyukov’s elite standing in world athletics, following a brilliant outdoor season debut just days prior. On May 16, the Bulgarian star claimed a silver medal at the season-opening Diamond League event in Shanghai, where he logged a jump of 8.07 meters.
His consecutive podium finishes in China provide a massive momentum boost as he prepares for a grueling summer schedule against the world’s finest athletes.
Fierce Competition on the Track
The long jump sector in Xiamen witnessed world-class drama. The gold medal went to the dominant force in the discipline, Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece. The two-time Olympic gold medalist (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024) and 2023 Budapest World Champion captured first place with a stunning meet record of 8.46 meters, achieved after taking only three jumps.
The silver medal was secured by Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle, the 2019 Doha World Champion and Tokyo 2025 silver medalist, who reached a distance of 8.32 meters.
Meanwhile, reigning Tokyo 2025 World Champion Mattia Furlani of Italy narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth with 8.28 meters. Furlani’s evening cut short after he suffered a hamstring injury during his fourth attempt, forcing him to withdraw from the remaining rounds.
Next Stops on the Global Elite Circuit
Following his successful Asian tour, Saraboyukov has officially confirmed four more appearances in the prestigious Diamond League circuit across Europe later this summer.
Athletics fans can watch the Bulgarian champion compete next on June 4 in Rome, Italy. He will then travel to Monte Carlo on July 10, followed by back-to-back elite events in Switzerland—Lausanne on August 21 and the legendary Weltklasse Zürich on August 27.