Mujinga and Ditaji Kambundji's silver and gold medals at the European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn have given them the confidence they need to reach the podium at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing.
20.03.2025, 04:01
SDA
Coach and manager Florian Clivaz would not be surprised by another coup.
"The two of them make the extraordinary a habit," says Florian Clivaz, summing up the performances of the Kambundji sisters a week and a half ago at the European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn - Ditaji won gold in the 60 m hurdles in a European record time of 7.67 seconds, Mujinga Kambundji sprinted to silver in a world-class time of 7.02 in the 60 m flat.
"They always shine when it counts. With them, you soon no longer wonder whether they will perform, but rather how well they will do it," added Mujinga Kambundji's friend to Keystone-SDA.
"They can express themselves best in competition, with the adrenaline," emphasizes the man from Valais, who was nevertheless surprised by what the hurdles sprinter showed in Apeldoorn: "Ditaji has improved in all areas since September. But it's one thing to show this in training and another to prove it in competition."
Ditaji Kambundji even entered the league of the greats in Apeldoorn. The 22-year-old ran the second-best time in the all-time best list over 60 m hurdles, with Devynne Charlton lowering the world record to 7.65 seconds in 2024. "Ditaji's performance in Apeldoorn is enormous," emphasizes Clivaz.
A break is not an option
The euphoria surrounding Mujinga Kambundji is somewhat less great. The 33-year-old was at her peak indoors three years ago, when she flew to world indoor gold in Belgrade in 2022 and came within four hundredths of the world record in 6.96.
"Logically, Mujinga didn't run as well as Ditaji," admits Clivaz. But the focus is on the future. "With so little time between the European and World Championships, you have to move on quickly despite all the emotions experienced," emphasizes the coach. "There was no champagne and no fiesta in Apeldoorn. But we took a moment with the whole team to tell ourselves that we had achieved something good."
Recovery, both physically and mentally, is of course of the utmost importance. "But doing nothing doesn't help you recover faster," explains Clivaz. "Special recovery training is necessary at the moment, and we will also increase the intensity of our warm-up in Nanjing."
Aiming for two medals again
"We are hoping for two medals in China," says Clivaz. First of all, the focus is on reaching the final, which is also a question of concentration; mistakes are not an option. "And if Mujinga and Ditaji are in the final, then they want the title."
On paper, this task is surprisingly less difficult for Mujinga Kambundji than for her sister. Numerous sprinters from overseas have withdrawn from the 60 m flat, while several athletes from the Bahamas, Jamaica and the USA have entered the hurdles sprint, led by Devynne Charlton.
"Ditaji first has to digest her success, because a performance like that leaves its mark," emphasizes Clivaz. This is where the synergy and harmony between the sisters helps: "Ditaji brings her freshness and new motivation, Mujinga all her experience. The freshness gives Mujinga Kambundji the necessary boost to surpass herself once again. And Ditaji Kambundji can use Mujinga's experience, which must now be confirmed.
