Lapierre starts Diamond League title defence in Shanghai

Wind-assisted or not, last week’s 8.50-metre effort at the Austin Longhorn Invitational in the US has reigning IAAF Diamond League long jump champion Fabrice Lapierre filled with confidence prior to his opening title defence in Shanghai on Saturday, May 13.

“It’s a load of confidence,” the 33-year-old Australian Olympian told Eurosport on Friday. “Anytime you get a really big jump, it doesn’t matter what the conditions are, it definably boosts your confidence and I think I needed that to put me in the right frame of mind and headspace going into Shanghai tomorrow.”

According to the New South Wales native, who now resides in the US, big numbers will be needed to notch a win over a stacked field that includes reigning Olympic champion Jeff Henderson (USA), as well as Rio silver medallist Luvo Manyonga (RSA), who has world record goals following an 8.62m jump this season.

American Jarrion Lawson also recorded an 8.02m at the Melbourne Nitro Athletics series before recently competing as a sprinter in the IAAF World Relays in the Bahamas.

“This year, like every year, features some tough guys,” said Lapierre, who spent the offseason building speed, power and acceleration through a heavy training schedule both in the gym and on the track. “It really depends on the day, but I think you are going to need anywhere from an 8.40-plus to win it.”

Aside from winning the title last year, Lapierre took second in the World Indoor Championships before finishing a disappointing 10th in Rio.

“It was probably the best year I’ve head in terms of consistency,” claims Lapierre. “I had one small bump at the Olympics, but other than that it was probably the best year I’ve had and I’m just trying to build on that this year.”

The competition in Shanghai will be the first round of five competitions of the men’s long jump in the Diamond League series, where athletes score points based on finishing positions.

Lapierre’s consistent 2016 series saw him take home the overall ‘Diamond Award,’ but he will need to perform well at this year’s final in Zurich to successfully retain it.

“It’s a whole different format this year,” explains Lapierre, who recorded a win at the Boston Indoor Grand Prix in January. “This year’s format is kind of different as far as winning it goes. You have to win the last one to win it — it’s just a different format and I’m just looking forward to it.”

While Lapierre is focused on his title defence opener, the 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist does admit that the 2018 Comm Games on the Gold Coast also has his attention — if ever so slightly.

“I’m not looking too far ahead,” admits Lapierre. “I know it’s there and I’m looking forward to it because it’s a fun one and it’s in Australia — which is essentially my backyard. Right now I’m taking it one competition at a time, but I definitely have one eye on it.”

Another notable Australian competing in Shanghai is Olympic semi-finalist sprinter Morgan Mitchell. The 22-year-old Victorian will line up in a world-class 400m race against five women who have broken the 50-second barrier in their careers.

Mitchell enters the race with a season’s best of 51.64 seconds, just four-tenths of a second outside her best set in Birmingham last year, and will be up against reigning Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo (BAH).