This Will NEVER Happen Again || The Untouchable Record of Jonathan Edwards 

You know it's good when you land way beyond where they put the numbers to mark it

As british lads we would have to avoid puddles going to school... Some were beyond the stride of ordinary kids. hence this record.

The way he jumps looks like a majestic gazelle. It's crazy, how long each jump is.

Remember watching those two jumps live on TV in the UK, the way he just shrugged after the second WR was amazing. The guy was so down to earth.

I met him once, in the mid-1990s, and he had greying hair after his recent victory, and nothing about him suggested that he was an athlete. I rather liked that he was outwardly so ordinary while at the top of his form.

His form is flawless. You literally can’t have a better form than that. Dude was gliding through the air

Jonathan Edwards was the technical perfection and elegance of a leaping gazelle. I don't know if we'll ever see someone like him again.

In Ilfracombe, UK (Edwards' hometown) there is a marking showing his world record jump on the floor. The distances between the hop, skip and jump are insane! Definitely worth a look if you're ever in the north coast of Devon

You forgot to mention that he was 34 years old when he was his last Olympic metal. 34 years old in something as impactful as triple jump is crazy. Strong knees. Maybe he’s actually kneeovertoesguys dad

Even a gazelle would have a double look. This is amazing.

He was so beautifully balanced and seemed to somehow float yet also give a tiny extra kick forward in mid air on each element. Beautiful landings, no falling forward, no sitting back, just a joy to watch, both then and now.

I was there in Gothenburg just in front of the triple jump. It was an amazing day.

Besides his athletic skills he’s rumoured to be one of the nicest persons around.

I was expecting some form of analysis as to why "this will never happen again".

27 years later this world record jump still stands amazing.

I was at Ullevi stadium in Gothenburg when Jonathan Edwards won the World championship and broke the world record twice... An amazing memory!

What's also insane is that Edwards jumped 17.92 at age 35 (WC Gold performance in 2001), 17.86 at age 36, and 17.61 at age 37. Superhuman

He was a mate's neighbour when I lived in Newcastle, met him a couple of times in the late 90s. Had a nice chat with him in a tapas bar at my mate's birthday. Very lovely and unassuming humble guy. Total legend.

Not too tall, very slim build, huge calf strength, solid knees, top sprinting speed. Watching his technique, it's very unique compared to other jumpers I've noticed. He seems to put all his faith on his landing leg to spring and bounce - whereas many others seem to force the landing leg down hard to launch off it (I guess because they physically weigh more than Edwards did). It's subtle but it's different - Edwards lost very little energy going forward when each jump occurred.

His balance through each phase is incredible.

His technique is very beautiful to watch. How he lifts his legs up a little when he's falling downward. Amazing !

I could watch his form all day. It's beautiful. I think the term "poetry in motion" is the most accurate way to describe this man's leaps.

I also had the privilege to bump into him coming out of Selfridges shop. I introduced him to my mum, he was so humble. I was into track when I was younger so admire these sports people. He shook my hand & was generally really happy with no swagger. You are a worthy champ & best wishes

I remember watching this live as a kid, absolutely unreal beating the WR in 2 consecutive jumps like that. He was in the zone.

It was Edwards flawless TECHNIQUE, combined with his longetivity in the sport, that made him the all-time king of the triple jump.

I watched this live, having been unemployed for several years. It inspired me to get in shape and join the military where I am still employed.

I remember watching this live as a kid, it seemed to take a long time between his jumps but I will never forget the tension waiting for his jumps. You knew something special was happening at the time.

Jonathan Edwards' balance and technique are simply remarkable. While smashing records Jonathan Edwards looks like he's strolling through the air.

scale board: 18 meters is fine, we don't need more than that for humans this guy: allow me to introduce myself!

"Near perfect jump" It looked like he was being carried by war eagles, c'mon man...........it WAS perfect!

Jonathan Edwards lived in Ilfracombe, North Devon at some point in his younger days. The town celebrated his world record jump with a series of 3 mosaics with brass discs set into the mosaics with his footprints moulded into the brass plates. The footprints are set out covering the 3 phases of his world record jump.. if you ever get a chance to visit Ilfracombe, head towards the Landmark Theatre, and you'll find these discs their.. I holiday in North Devon often and when I visit Ilfracombe I will stop by this record of his achievement and admire just how far that jump was. It was truly monumental... I am a big athletics fan so I completely appreciate the effort...😊

Eternal Jonathan Edwards! One of my "sports-Heroes", i was just a kid in '95. but i remember everything about that day, and that 18.29m triple jump! I was so happy!

The only guy that could dunk from the 3 point line🏆

His run-up and first step is so powerful that his only task is just not to distract his flight too much when touching the ground.

That was part of a golden age for GB athletics. Full of extraordinary personalities and characters.

All I got to say is that 90s track and field was dope.

Dude has rubber bands for legs. That's how I jump in my dreams.

"Wah, Hoo Hoo, Yahoooo!" - Jonathan 'Mario' Edwards.

And just look at the leg power that propels him forth each time a foot lands. Absolutely stunning.

He was one of my favourite athletes growing up - sharing a first name and an event with him, just seemed quite relatable. And he never had airs and graces, just really down to earth. The Goteburg competition is quite an indelible memory (or rather, his jumps were). Defying gravity and seemingly floating down the runway with each section. The closest I've ever seen to a human skipping stone....

Everytime I see those three consecutive jumps, I can hear Mario's voice going "Yah! Wah! Yahoo!"

Damn how strong is his legs. Imagine moving at that speed and landing on one leg. My whole leg would shatter.

A literal grasshopper. He is unreal. A magnificent feat that’s for certain

Unreal. He looked like a wind up doll: graceful, intensely calculated and fiercely confident, precise execution of every second of that jump. I watched this, just mesmerised by how that jump looked. Wow.

Look how far he was from fouling on his 18.43 jump. Lost inches on that one. Didn't know he jumped over 18 meters that many times. Truly impressive.

There are a lot of things that I like when I see these videos of my hero mr Edwards: 1) the impossible speed, unparalleled in triple jump. 2) the powerful transference of speed at every jump. 3) the perfect equilibrium from the hop to the jump. 4) the incredible length of the aerial phase. 5) the flawless landing on the sand. 6) the satisfaction in his smile that makes us all smile too!

I remember watching this as a kid with my grandparents, never in my life would I have imagined that record to still hold to this day.

Bloody Legend this guy! I watched when I was 11 years old when he got gold, I still remember his celebration like it was yesterday. I still can't believe its not been beaten to this day. Considering the different type of athletes we have now! Insane

This is what the word legend is supposed to be used for.

I live in the town he grew up. There's a replica of his world record jump built into the ground on the seafront. It has footprints spaced out to the correct distances. It is unbelievable to walk along it thinking that it is even possible. It looks impressive here, but until you've put your feet literally in his footprints, you will never know. I hope his record stands forever.

Incredible leaps + a warm gracious smile.. you can't beat that smile after every jump.

It's amazing that with all the progress in training, leading to new world records all the time, that this one still stands.

No ego from him too. He is never in the news back in uk. A true champ

I had the chance to experience his world record live :D

i watched these jumps live and nothing was same again as a lil kid... not to lose any momentum [as less as possible] between leaps is surreal. for almost 30 years i have never seen a gentle-man athlete as him.

I could watch those jumps over and over again...simply majestic and remember watching them live.

Dang, man's technique is flawless. And no, I am not in athletics myself but look how he goes in those slow-mo shots. Amazing performance.

Not being into athletics myself it’s still very hard not to be impressed by such achievements of the man.

His technique, his track speed(100m in 10.48 apparently) experience he’d gained by then, and undoubtedly a great work ethic all combined to reach athletic greatness.

The greatest Triple Jump technique of all time. 3 phases of perfection.

His mid air momentum and positioning is incredible.

both my knees have hyper-extended just by watching that

Sent tingles up my spine watching Jonathon Edwards again so many years later.

When you watch it in slow Mo there's no vibration visible throughout his body on touch down his technique was really pure perfection and rare guess that's why!?

I remember him breaking that record - they spoke about it on Newsround on CBBC. He has always seemed like a really nice bloke too.

The most effortless-looking world record performance. If the triple jump had style points, like ski jumping has, Edwards would have gotten a (perfect) 5x20

Absolutely amazing! The feats that the human body can achieve is crazy.

Met him last week at the open, lovely bloke he's was a steward....can't believe it was 27 years ago...god I'm old

Finally a video on Edwards! His 18.43 is even more remarkable given he was well behind the board. His power, grace, and technique is untouchable in this complex event. One of the greatest athletic achievements ever. A few greats have come close but still no cigar. Edwards skipped like a rock across the pond. Just marvelous to watch! The guy was wicked fast and powerful for his size.

Triple jump is so satisfying to watch especially when the phases are just soooo perfect.😩💦👌🔥

Edwards; that's how perfection looks like. I never get tired to look at this jump.

Each phase is so even, carrying his speed generally flat through the first two phase, hop and step and then exploding trading that speed for height carrying him deep into the pit. Amazing technique partnering with blazing speed.

I love videos about a record that will never be broken that don't explain why it'll never be broken.

He seems to somehow create extra momentum out of thin air when he's about to land during the hop phase. Of course the landings are also perfect. Great athlete.

Gutted the 18.46 record didn’t stand. He is my favourite British athlete. So humble and yet out of this world in terms of capability

Well produced video. Smooth, informational, and enjoyable. Thank you.

There is also Jan Železný, who threw javelin so far, noone has yet been close to him. (except one throw last year, which still was almost one meter short)

TRP. Many thanks for yet another well researched and very well presented expose. The quality of your "show" is absolutely first rate. Thanks again. Cheers.

He was majestic in his victory's Just shrugged, And smiled. He should be TV host and more popular now as when he was then. Deserved more fame

I was 10 years old and was a high jumper at the time, literally went to Athletics Club the next afternoon and was practicing the Triple Jump the next 5 hours.

Can’t be a more satisfying sight than edwards hopping , skipping and jumping ! Even his running is graceful .

Phenomenal athlete with terrific speed and perfect form.

the skip section just seems to defie gravity the long pause then the power jump, beautiful, what a achevment still standing all these years later, one of those god moments ,,xxthanks 4 sharing xx

This is when you can call yourself a LEGEND.

Don’t say that it’ll never be broken. It’s only a matter of time before someone who is overly dedicated to beat his record actually pulls it off.

It’s impossible to imagine being able to jump a second time after the first, but he makes it appear so natural, like a physical feat we accomplish every day. I’m in awe

this guy is making reality of my dreams, bounding effortlessly almost "flying".

A true great of British athletes. In my opinion he's up there with Steve Ovett, Sebastian Coe and Daley Thompson.

Thank you for introducing him to me.

Remember this, as it was yesterday... Looked like he was taking off for the moon... Gobsmacked...

I met him around 2001. Such a great and modest guy. I asked him for tips on triple jump.. He may as well have been speaking German. I couldn't understand any of it. I was doing triple jump for my school's sportsday.

The beauty of enduring human spirit stretching the limits of possibilities. Thanks for this video.

Jimmy Savile was knighted in 1990, yet Jonathan Edwards had never been knighted. Bonkers.

I saw it live, good memories

I'm an old boy and remember watching this live! My parents were stunned.

That 18,43m jump is so elegant so graceful to watch

Thats how far she jumps when she jumps to conclusions.

I remember watching this live, couldn't believe it when he hit that

Jonathan Edwards: from theologian to a track star. Mans is just built different

I remember his WC performance to this day. Thanks to this dude i felt in love in the queen of the sports.