Written by Trackandmemes, August 11, 2023
At just 20 years of age, she holds a personal record of 6 meters and 91 hundredths in the long jump, ranking her among the world's top female jumpers.
Simple and passionate, Mikaelle reveals herself.
How would you describe your personality?
In my Instagram bio I put "the sunflower in a field of roses". Generally speaking, I'm a happy person, someone who tries to be positive and make those around me happy.
I'm also ambitious. And I've already reached a certain level, since I'm jumping with the best in the world rankings.
I'd say I'm focused on my goals.
But on the other hand, I try to be myself, and to be there for my friends. My aim is to remain authentic. Because with success in sport, you can quickly lose yourself.
Why did you take up athletics?
I was at school in Germany, and we always did athletics in sports class. It was my teachers who told me I was athletic and could run fast. They asked me why I didn't take up athletics. But I didn't take their remark seriously.
My sports teacher was also my German teacher. And one day, in high school, he wrote a number on the blackboard telling me that if I didn't join this athletics club, he'd give me bad marks. I was 10 years old.
In Germany, when you start athletics at a young age, you have to do all the disciplines. So I did a bit of everything. But the sprint and long jump were the disciplines in which I performed best.
At what point did you say to yourself « i want to become a professional » ?
At the age of 14.
At the age of 14, I took part in my first German championships. It was then that I realized that athletics was becoming a serious part of my life. But I wasn't yet thinking about becoming a professional athlete. When I started to earn a bit of money through sport, and realized that through my sport I could discover the world, travel and meet other athletes, I found it really interesting.
With my performances, I was able to turn professional, but it developed as I went along.
What about your European championships in Finland? 🇫🇮 (Espoo) ?
It was really good. I discovered this new country. Being part of the national team gave me a lot of experience, like in Tallinn where I won my first international medal.
But the setting was different, because I arrived as a favoured athlete because of my jump from 6 meters 91. I was under a bit more pressure. I tried not to put any on myself, but I just couldn't do it.
To be honest, I'm not very happy with my performance, but I've gained experience of how to behave in competition when the environment isn't favourable, and that's positive.
I saw again the girls I met in 2021, at Tallinn, and we became friends. So I really enjoyed the friendly environment. And I'm also happy for the athletes who succeeded as they wanted.
You're very young, but already one of the world's best athletes. Do you feel any pressure?
In general, I think we're all under a bit of pressure. Especially when you reach a high level at such a young age. But this year, it's true that it's different because I've reached an "adult" ranking at the age of 20.
I'm just trying to focus on myself and turn this pressure into something positive.
On the one hand, I want to show that I belong among the greats, that it's no coincidence that I'm good. But on the other hand, I don't focus on other people's opinions because I'm still young.
In my country, there is Malaika Mihambo who won the 2020 Olympic Games. She's one of the best long jumpers around. And with her here, I can concentrate on myself without being influenced by other people's opinions, even though I want to show that I belong with the adults.
You have to find a balance between being young and being a top athlete.
Was there a moment in your career when you said to yourself, I can't do it this time. I can't do it ?
I think the only time I've ever felt that way was when I was in the States. It was a difficult time for me, physically and mentally, because things weren't going well with my coach. I didn't have the support I would have liked during a difficult time. It was hard to believe in myself in general, to believe in my performance, because I felt alone.
I returned home last year, before the European Championships in Munich.
How did you get through it?
I analyzed my situation and looked at what was wrong. I looked for the cause of my malaise and, in fact, I had a lack of support.
I tried to solve the problem by calling my mother, or talking to my coach in Germany. And we found solutions. I think at times like this, it's important not to be alone, to have people you can trust to find solutions. And eventually, to have a plan, and if it doesn't work, not to lose hope and try again.
What's your biggest goal in this sport?
But my goal would be to go to the Olympics next year. Paris is my favorite city. I'm in Paris every year and I love it.
My level is already high, so if I aim to improve, it's because I know that by concentrating on my own progress, I could beat other people.
Otherwise we put too much pressure on ourselves.
What are you doing to achieve this goal?
Over the last few years, I've built up a team that supports me. It's made up of my family, my trainer and a small medical group like my physio and a doctor who is always ready to welcome me. They're all there to support me. I think it's really important to have such a supportive environment. No matter what the problem, whether it's mental, physical or social, it's important to have a framework that's there to support you.
Otherwise, I also try to focus on my weaknesses, and improve my strengths.
You're on your way to inspiring women. What image would you like to reflect as an athlete?
I'd just like to be authentic and show women that they can be themselves, not to be ashamed of their bodies or their personalities. Women are often told to be quiet, not to make too much noise, especially black women. But I'd like to say that there's nothing wrong with just being yourself. Because there's a reason we are the way we are.
The world we live in can be so false because of social networks. And I try to dissociate myself from it by not using filters, for example. If I have pimples, I'll show them. Because that's human.
I'd also like to pass on the message that you can do anything with willpower and hard work.
If you hadn't been an athlete, what would you have chosen to do?
If I hadn't been an athlete, I would have concentrated on my studies and gone into medicine.
Sport is already such a big part of my life that I didn't focus on school. But I have other interests like dancing, music, singing... I'd have liked to do more modelling!
What advice would you give to an athlete looking to perform?
Trust the process and trust yourself.
It's really important to believe in yourself and your performance. And to believe in your training too, because there's a reason why you're there. There's also a reason why we chose our coach. If you don't believe in what you're doing, then you're never going to make it.
You also have to listen to your body. If it hurts, take it a little easier. And if you're happy, find out why, so you can do it again next time.
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