Chantel Malone Leaps to First Place Amid Headwinds at Tucson Elite Classic:

Chantel Malone of the British Virgin Islands secured first place in the women’s long jump at the Tucson Elite Classic with a leap of 6.43 meters (21 feet 1¼ inches). The event marked Malone’s third meet of the season, following jumps of 6.63 meters in Miami and 6.58 meters in Atlanta.

“Going into Tucson, I was focused on execution,” Malone said. “I’ve been having a little bit of trouble with my approach, so I really wanted to lock in and get that right. Unfortunately, we had a strong headwind, so it made it difficult to be consistent on the board.”

Despite the challenging wind conditions, Malone expressed confidence in her progress and readiness for the rest of the season. “I don’t think the actual results are a true depiction of where I am physically,” she explained. “Long jump is such a technical sport that the simplest thing can affect the overall jump. Once I connect the dots, I truly believe I will fly.”

Malone is no stranger to overcoming adversity. After a knee injury that required surgery, she has worked to reestablish herself in the international long jump scene. Reflecting on her journey, she added, “As you know, my journey back to sport after injury has been one for the books! I’m just living proof that if you truly believe in yourself and work relentlessly towards your goal, anything is possible. That’s what I hope my journey inspires in others.”

Looking ahead, Malone plans to prioritize health and rediscover her rhythm. “For the rest of the season, the goal is to get back to being me,” she said. “Having fun with the sport. Trusting Jehovah fully. Conquering goals! I think this season should be great once I stay healthy.”

Malone continues to build on her performances as she competes in events across the 2025 season.