Tamberi puts on a show to win Ultimate high jump in Budapest

Gianmarco Tamberi wins the high jump at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship Budapest 26 (© Getty Images)

Gianmarco Tamberi competed with ‘showtime babe’ written on his inner forearm and that proved to be a premonition as he cleared a world lead of 2.37m to secure the high jump crown in style at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest on Sunday (13).

The Italian 34-year-old won the world title in Budapest in 2023 and he put on quite the show on his return to the Hungarian capital, achieving his best performance in more than two years to beat USA's JuVaughn Harrison who cleared 2.30m and Mexico's Erick Portillo who was third on countback (2.26m).

“It was already predicted – showtime, you know!” said Tamberi, pointing to his arm during his trackside interview.

“It’s not thanks to me, it’s thanks to the people who are there,” he added, turning to the crowd. “My friends, my family – all the people here who support me. You were crazy, guys. You pushed me over my limits.”

Tamberi has endured a series of injury struggles over the past few years but he opened his season in July before winning his fourth European title in August.

He then received an exceptional invite to compete at the Ultimate Championship and focused on making the most of the opportunity.

He opened his competition at 2.22m and cleared that and 2.26m on his first attempts. He needed two tries to make it over 2.30m and only he and Harrison, the world silver medallist behind Tamberi in Budapest three years ago, remained in the competition as the 27-year-old managed it on his third go.

Tamberi asked for quiet as he attempted 2.33m, raising his inscribed arm before starting his run up. He soared clear on that first try at the height, jumping straight back up and striding away from the mat.

Harrison had one failed attempt and decided to pass as the bar moved to 2.35m. The music was back for Tamberi’s first attempt at the new height and the crowd obeyed as he asked for them to join him in a rhythmic clap. That strategy worked, too, and he again flew clear at the first time of asking.

Harrison passed again and the next height was 2.37m. Tamberi made it on his second try while Harrison failed once and used his final attempt at 2.39m – Tamberi securing the win when the US athlete knocked off the bar a final time.

With the high jump in the spotlight, Tamberi closed his campaign by taking three attempts at 2.41m.

“It was an amazing night,” said Tamberi. “I came here with great memories from the World Championships in 2023 so I was looking forward to competing here knowing that it is an amazing place to jump.

“I started the season probably 14th in the world rankings, so this really was a comeback. My career was very tough because, if I look at the ups and downs, I cannot even say which one was the most difficult to come back from. After I was not able to get to the final in Tokyo last year, people started to say that it's my time to retire – it was difficult to hear and to struggle against all these feelings. Finally, I'm here with 2.37m. Now I can say to everyone: ‘Never stop believing in your dreams, never put a limit on yourself’.”

Jess Whittington for World Athletics