Yulimar Rojas, the world record holder in the triple jump and one of the most outstanding figures in world athletics, will compete again on March 9, 2025 at the Ciudad de Salamanca Athletics Trophy. This will be her first official event after an Achilles tendon injury that kept her out of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the whole season.

On this occasion, the Venezuelan athlete will not compete in her specialty, the triple jump, but in the long jump, a discipline in which she began her sporting career and which she has returned to on several occasions in recent years. This return marks a key moment in her career, as it has been almost 20 months since her last participation in the long jump and 540 days since her last official competition.

A LONG-AWAITED RETURN AFTER A LONG RECOVERY

The last time Yulimar Rojas competed was on September 16, 2023 at the Diamond League Prefontaine Classic, where she won her third Diamond trophy in the triple jump. As for the long jump, her last participation was on July 21, 2023 at the Diamond League in Monaco. Since then, the Venezuelan has been away from the track due to a left Achilles tendon injury she suffered in April 2024 during a training session in Barcelona.

The injury, which required surgery, forced her to miss the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where she hoped to defend her Olympic title in the triple jump and also compete in the long jump. During her recovery, Rojas shared her process through social networks, showing from her time in surgery to her progressive return to track training.

HER LONG JUMP HISTORY

Although Yulimar Rojas is mainly known for her dominance in the triple jump, the long jump has been an important part of her career. In 2022, she achieved the minimum mark for the World Championships in Oregon in this discipline with a jump of 6.93 meters, although she was unable to compete due to a problem with the regulations of the shoes used. That mark would have surpassed her own Venezuelan national record, which she has held since 2021 with 6.88 meters.

The Trofeo de Atletismo Ciudad de Salamanca will be an opportunity for Rojas to demonstrate her ability in this discipline, while she continues to work to regain her best physical and technical form. Her team has highlighted the importance of this return, not only for her recovery, but also for the possibility of seeing her compete again at the highest level.

AN INJURY THAT MARKED HER CAREER

The Achilles tendon injury was a hard blow for the Venezuelan athlete, who expressed her sadness when she announced that she would not be able to participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. In a statement, Rojas shared her pain, but also her determination to recover and come back stronger. After months of rehabilitation and training, her return to competition in Salamanca will be a significant moment in her path back to the elite of athletics.

During her absence, Rojas remained active in the sporting arena, attending the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as a spectator and supporting her teammates. In September 2024, she returned to track training, marking the beginning of her preparation for her official return.

THE FUTURE OF YULIMAR ROJAS

Known as the “Queen of the triple jump”, Yulimar Rojas has made it clear that her goal is to continue competing in both disciplines, triple jump and long jump. Her participation in Salamanca will be an important step in her preparation for future international events, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, where she will seek to regain her Olympic throne.