by Deji Ogeyingbo
The return of Yulimar Rojas
It’s been more than a year since the Triple Jump queen Yulimar Rojas serenaded us with her spellbinding performance. The long clap, savory runs and the hop, step and jump that feels as smooth as a pebble skipping across a calm lake was a sight that made fans stop, sometimes even drool and admire greatness.
Rojas is no stranger to the spotlight. She has dazzled fans with her soaring jumps, earning six world titles, an Olympic Gold, and the world record in the Triple jump. But even for a champion, the road isn’t always smooth. The past two years have tested her like never before, and now, with 2025 on the horizon, she’s preparing to rise again.
The Highs of 2023
Rojas’s 2023 season was another chapter in her storied career. It kicked off in June, where she claimed victory in Madrid and followed it up with a win at the Oslo Diamond League. At the Central American Games in San Salvador, she soared past 15 meters, delivering a stunning 15.16m jump. She then bettered that mark with 15.18m in Silesia, solidifying her dominance.
World Athletics Championships
Eugene, Oregon, USA
July15-26, 2022
triple jump, women, photo by Kevin Morris
In Monaco, Rojas briefly shifted her focus to the long jump, achieving 6.61m in the Diamond League. But her sights were set on making history in Budapest. She aimed for her fourth consecutive world outdoor title in the triple jump.
The final in Budapest on August 25 was anything but routine. Rojas struggled to find her groove, sitting in eighth place after five rounds. Three fouls and subpar marks of 14.33m and 14.26m added to the tension. Yet, champions shine brightest under pressure. On her final attempt, she rallied the crowd, took a deep breath, and unleashed a 15.08m jump—enough to clinch gold by a mere eight centimeters. It was a heart-stopping moment that reaffirmed her status as the queen of the triple jump.
The Fall of 2024
April 6, 2024, was a day Rojas would rather forget. While receiving a jump in training, she injured her left Achilles tendon. The diagnosis was devastating—she would miss the Paris Olympics. For the first time in years, Rojas was sidelined, unable to defend her Olympic title or compete in the Diamond League Finals.
The injury was a blow, not just to Rojas but to the sport itself. Fans felt her absence deeply, as did the competition. Thea Lafond of Dominica seized the opportunity, dominating the season and making her mark. But for Rojas, watching from the sidelines only fueled her desire to return stronger.
Rojas’s rehabilitation journey began in Spain. Pain, sadness, and doubt were her initial companions, but she soon found strength in her faith and determination. “In God’s designs, we are instruments of His will,” she said, reflecting on her setback. Despite the heartbreak, she vowed to work tirelessly toward her comeback.
Throughout her recovery, Rojas kept her fans updated via social media. In September, she marked a milestone—returning to the track after five and a half months. She posted a video of herself dancing, her joy and optimism shining through. “It’s been a time of hard work and challenges, but also of infinite faith,” she wrote.
Eyes on 2025
With 2024 in the rearview mirror, Rojas is laser-focused on 2025. The indoor season will mark her official return, and expectations are sky-high. “You are the architect of your own destiny,” she recently said, emphasizing her commitment to carving her path back to greatness.
The road ahead won’t be easy. Returning from an Achilles injury is a delicate process, requiring not only physical rehabilitation but also mental fortitude. But if anyone can do it, it’s Rojas. Her story is one of grit and an unwavering belief in her ability to soar again.
The competition will be fierce. Lafond and other rising stars have shown their mettle. Yet Rojas has always thrived under pressure, and her comeback promises to be nothing short of spectacular. She’s not just aiming to compete—she’s coming to reclaim her throne. In reality, there isn’t any match for her.
A Legacy Beyond Medals
Beyond the runway, Rojas has already left an indelible mark. In 2023, she founded the Yulimar Rojas 45 Foundation, dedicated to supporting young athletes. Her mission is to inspire the next generation, showing them that success comes from hard work, discipline, and believing in themselves. Through her foundation, she’s working to create opportunities for youth at risk, a cause close to her heart.
Now that 2025 is underway, fans are counting down the days until Rojas makes her grand return. Her journey reminds us all that setbacks are just a bump in the road. Her comeback promises to be one for the ages, proving yet again why she’s the queen of the triple jump. And when she takes to the runway, expect her to leap, hop, and jump as smoothly as a kite soaring effortlessly on a steady breeze—reaching new heights and inspiring millions, one jump at a time.
