pituushyppääjä

Pituushyppääjä is the Finnish word for a long jumper, an athlete who competes in the long jump event in track and field. The long jump requires athletes to run down a track, jump from a take-off board, and leap as far as possible into a sandpit. The objective is to cover the greatest horizontal distance from the take-off board to the closest mark made by any part of the athlete's body in the sand.

The event is a test of speed, strength, and technique. Athletes typically employ a powerful run-up to generate momentum, followed by a precise take-off from the board. Upon launching into the air, they use various techniques to maximize their horizontal distance, such as the "hitch-kick" or the "hang" technique. A crucial element is the landing, where athletes try to extend their legs forward to avoid falling backward, which would reduce their measured jump distance.

Professional pituushyppääjät train rigorously to improve all aspects of their performance. This includes cardiovascular training, strength conditioning, plyometrics, and specific technical drills for their approach, take-off, and flight phases. The world record for the men's long jump is held by Mike Powell of the United States, and the women's record is held by Galina Chistyakova of the Soviet Union. The long jump is a popular event at major athletic competitions, including the Olympic Games and World Athletics Championships.