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1989 and 1990 were subdued seasons for the twice Olympic 100m. champion.
His best for both years was 10.05sec. which ranked him 6th and 7th
respectively. However, in the long jump he continued to reign supreme,
even though Larry Myrick's 8.70m. in 1989 took him to the top of that
year's world rankings. By 1991 Carl was back to his majestic best and
ready to take on all-comers at the World Championships in Tokyo.
It
began for him in sensational style when he beat the new world record
holder Leroy Burrell in the 100m. final. Lewis stopped the clock at
9.86sec. to Burrell's 9.88sec. with Dennis Mitchell in third place
(9.91sec.) just ahead of Linford Christie (see photo above). It
was a new world record beating Burrell's time of 9.90sec. He then moved
on to the long jump, an event in which he was unbeaten for ten years! In
the greatest long jump contest in history he came head to head with an
inspired Mike Powell.
Each one of their jumps was massive, albeit some
just past the take-off board and some too far in front. Bob Beamon's
1968 world record of 8.90m. was finally being threatened. Then it
happened, in the fourth round Carl flew through the air and landed 8.91m
(29ft 2 3/4 ins) from where had taken off. The record was his! Alas the
wind reading was above the permitted level and Mike Powell had two more
jumps.
Could he deprive 'King Carl' of the gold? In the sensation of
the championships he jumped a legal 8.95m.(29 ft. 41/2 ins) world record
in the fifth round. Carl produced a third 29 foot leap with his final
jump, but to no avail. The defeat ensured the name Fred Carlton Lewis
would never be listed as a world long jump record holder. He did,
however, win another gold medal, in the 4x100m. relay which the U.S. won
with a world record of 37.50sec. (George Herringshaw)
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