Markus Rehm–Steffi Nerius partnership comes full circle at World Para Athletics Championships 2025

Markus Rehm won gold in men’s long jump T64 to claim a record 10th World Championships crown.

Even as he wore the gold medal that marked his 10th World Championships title, Markus Rehm was visibly emotional for he was bidding goodbye to a 16-year partnership with his coach Steffi Nerius.

Together in those in 16 years, which started in Bengaluru in 2009, Markus and Steffi rewrote the physics of para long jump—pushing boundaries, shattering world records and setting new standards.

With Steffi behind him, Markus smashed the World Record in men’s long jump F44/T64 an incredible 14 times—starting in 2011, when he first claimed the record (7.09m) at the IPC World Athletics Championships in Christchurch all the way to 2023, where he set the latest mark at 8.72m.

Two years before his first major title, Markus and Steffi began their journey—the latter then a reigning World Champion in women’s javelin; the former just starting out. Markus had lost his right leg to a wakeboarding accident at the age of 14.

For some that would be the end. For Markus, it was the start of a new journey.

That journey has seen him accomplish five Paralympic gold, 10 World Championships and eight European Championships titles—all with Steffi as his coach. Markus has also on several occasions outperformed able-bodied athletes in domestic competitions.

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At the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, that journey found its closure with Steffi bidding farewell to her coaching career—quite fittingly in the same country where it had started 16 years ago.

As a tribute, Markus and the entire German contingent wore headbands with words “Thank You Steffi” in three different languages (German, English and Hindi).

He later revealed that Steffi would wear headbands during her athletic career, and it was his way of showing gratitude and telling her ‘Thank you’ for all these years.

In an interaction later that evening, Markus and coach Steffi spoke to Khel Now about the emotions, their journey together and more.

How emotional it was for both of them?

The World Championships in New Delhi is Steffi’s final event with Markus, with the former set to retire from coaching. Meanwhile, defending Paralympic and World champion in the event, Markus retained his gold with a best jump of 8.43m.

He was seen touching his headband during the medal ceremony and was quite emotional after the event.

Markus Rehm: I’m really grateful to have her. I’ll still be in good contact with her. I think this is not just a coach-athlete relationship; it’s more like a friendship.

During her career, she would always wear a headband. So, I thought for my last competition [with her], I also want to wear it to keep her in memory and just thank her for the incredible 16 years we had together.

Steffi Nerius: It was a really fantastic journey, 16 years. It’s unbelievable, and I’m very proud for Markus and me. I think we were a great team. It was a nice time because Markus is a perfect athlete. Today it’s a little bit emotional, but still very special.”

Reaction to event postponement due to rain

The event was originally supposed to be held on October 2 but was postponed due to incessant rain and bad weather. Markus recalled the pressure of having to sleep one more night in anticipation.

Markus Rehm: I feel amazing. It was a tough competition. We were ready yesterday, all warmed up and waiting for the event to start and then suddenly it was thunder and rain. Then we heard the competition has been postponed.

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As an athlete, it’s different because usually you have this one day [game day] when you’re fully focused, keep emotions in check. But to go back and then do the same thing again next day…

So, it was a bit more difficult today. But I’ve been doing this for 16 years, so we kind of know how to handle the situation as a team.

Breaking the elusive 9m barrier

While he holds the current World Record at 8.72m, having himself rewritten it 14 times during the course of his career, Markus is hungry for more. He hopes to breach the elusive 9m barrier soon.

The Blade Jumper, as Markus is popularly known due to him using carbon-fibre blade prosthesis on his right leg, has even kept a No. 9 as his phone cover image.

Markus Rehm: Yeah, I’m just dreaming of this number. No athlete in the world has ever jumped nine metres, and this is just a magic number. I decided to name it such [magic number] for myself, because some things you have to chase at some point.

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I know it’s really hard, and most likely I will never do it, but I don’t want to look back in 20 or 30 years when I’m old and grey and say I didn’t try.

I want to say at least I tried. I tried my best. I know it’s more of a dream than a goal, but I’m definitely going to work on it, and hopefully I can come even closer.

What keeps him motivated?

At 37, now a veteran of the sport and one of the greatest para long jumpers of all-time, Markus still has new targets in his sights.

Markus Rehm: I think I just love what I’m doing. I still enjoy it. It sounds funny after 16 years of doing the same thing, but I still love it. I still like to chase these numbers, these distances, and to get this feeling.

Dimitri (French Athlete Dimitri Pavade who finished fourth) also had a nice jump. He said it was an incredible feeling. This is what we are looking for. I think we chase these emotional highs, and probably that’s what keeps us motivated.

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