World Record That Has Stood for 30 Years Labelled 'Most Athletic in Sports History'

A world record that has stood for 30 years has been described as "the single most athletic play in sports history".

On the afternoon of August 7, 1995, a fresh-faced Jonathan Edwards made history at the World Athletics Championships in Gothenburg with an unprecedented hop, step and a jump.

Edwards, who is widely regarded as the greatest triple jumper ever, broke the 18-metre barrier for the first time in history with an attempt of 18.16m.

Then, around 20 minutes later, the London-born athlete shocked the world once more after surpassing that already-impressive feat with a jump of 18.29m – a record that still stands to this day.

“That was surreal, to land in the pit and think, ‘I’ve broken the world record again,’” he recently told The Athletic. "To break 18m and 60 feet on the same day was quite something."

To put Edwards' feat into perspective, only seven men have surpassed the 18-metre mark since.

Many deem his achievement as one of the greatest athletic feats in history. In fact, the 18.29m jump has become a talking point again this week, after an account on X asked: "What's the single most athletic play in sports history?"

A response from Will Blackmon, who posted the video of Edwards' record-breaking feat in Sweden, has since received over 2.8 million views on the social media platform.

One fan commented: "This is the right answer. He absolutely dominated the event with a feat nobody has been able to top for 30 years. We'll probably say same about Duplantis in 30 years as well."

A second wrote: "Imagine how much longer he could have jumped if he didn't jump too early," and a third added: "You guys have no idea how incredible this is. Absolutely stunning."

Jonathan Edwards after winning the Triple Jump event in Gothenburg. Image credit: Getty

Earlier this year, Edwards said that his long-standing record is not a good look for the sport.

"I don't think it's a good sign for athletics as a sport that you have a record that stands for 30 years," he told the BBC.

"When you think of all the developments in sports science, nutrition, training methods, all of those things, I don't think it necessarily speaks to a really healthy and thriving sport, if I'm honest."

Edwards believes athletics has not "kept pace" with the professionalisation of sport, meaning talented young athletes are often choosing other sports for money-related reasons.

"It doesn't offer the same rewards as other sports," he said.

"If you're a talented young kid, you wouldn't necessarily pick track and field. You wouldn't certainly pick a field event where the rewards are less than on the track."