French athlete Hilary Kpatcha claimed the bronze medal in the women’s long jump at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham on Sunday. Recording a leap of 6.98 m (wind: 2.5 m/s) at her second attempt, the 28-year-old secured France’s tenth medal of the competition.
Championship Performance
- Championship Momentum: Kpatcha’s podium finish.
- Rebound Index: Following a frustrating 4th-place finish at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo and a disappointing 11th-place finish at the 2024 Olympic Games.
- Federation Standings: While securing France’s tenth medal of the event, the result highlights the ongoing quest for gold within the national delegation.
Redemption on the Runway in Birmingham
Hilary Kpatcha stepped onto the runway in Birmingham carrying the baggage of a disappointing 11th-place finish at the 2024 Olympic Games, where a 6.56 m leap forced her out of her training group in Toulouse. The tape shows an athlete who has rebuilt her mechanics under a remote coaching structure orchestrated by Renaud Longuèvre, in collaboration with former long jumper Kafétien Gomis and hurdler Ladji Doucouré based at INSEP.
Kpatcha’s consistency under pressure. After opening her series with a first bond mesuré à 6.83 m, she uncorked a 6.98 m effort on her second attempt. That mark immediately catapulted her into the provisional silver medal position. Though Britain’s Jazmin Sawyers later edged past her with a 6.99 m jump in the fourth round, Kpatcha held firm against a surging field.
Navigating an Exceptionally Dense Field
The women’s long jump final delivered a concours d’une densité exceptionnelle. Italy’s Larissa Iapichino ultimately claimed the gold medal with a best mark of 7.00 m. Meanwhile, pre-event favorite Malaika Mihambo of Germany completely missed the podium, finishing fifth with a 6.94 m jump.
| Athlete | Nation | Mark | Medal / Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larissa Iapichino | Italy | 7.00 m | Gold |
| Jazmin Sawyers | Great Britain | 6.99 m | Silver |
| Hilary Kpatcha | France | 6.98 m (w: 2.5) | Bronze |
| Malaika Mihambo | Germany | 6.94 m | 5th Place |
“Tokyo, c’était quelque chose de nécessaire. Ça fait partie de mon parcours et c’est +OK+”, Kpatcha stated ahead of the Birmingham competition, reflecting on her fourth-place finish at the 2025 World Championships. “Là, je sens que j’ai un peu plus les armes pour aller au +fight+.”
That fighting spirit proved vital as she endured a nervous wait during the final rounds. Much like her 4th-place finish in Tokyo last year, the threat of a late-round overtake loomed large. This time, however, her early marks protected her position on the podium.
The Long Road Back to International Form
The structural changes in Kpatcha’s training regimen are paying dividends. Following her departure from Toulouse and several months without physical activity, the collaboration with Longuèvre, Gomis, and Doucouré has redefined her approach. Having already touched 6.98 m in late July—close to her record (7.02 m in 2025)—she arrived in the United Kingdom.
“Ce travail commence à se peaufiner, j’arrive un peu plus à sentir les choses,” Kpatcha noted prior to the competition. “J’ai la sensation d’être beaucoup plus en maîtrise de ce que je fais.”
It is a first international medal for Hilary Kpatcha. While the French delegation has faced scrutiny during the European Championships—securing three silvers and six bronzes before Kpatcha’s performance brought the tally to ten medals—the search for a premier gold crown continues.
