At the 2025 British Indoor Athletics Championships, Jacob Fincham-Dukes won Gold in the long jump, however, he unfortunately picked up an injury at the event, having torn his adductor muscle off the bone, which has kept him away from competing, though he is hoping to be back competing in August. Jacob competed at the Keely Klassic in Birmingham, where he achieved 2nd in the long jump, and he made his Olympic debut for Team GB at Paris last year, reaching the long jump final and finishing in 5th place. Last year, Jacob retained his British Athletics Championships (outdoor) title, having also won the previous year, and he finished 4th at the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome. Amongst his training and competitions, Jacob was a student at Oklahoma State University and competed on the American collegiate circuit. Chatting with us, Jacob told us about winning Gold at the British Indoor Athletics Championships this year, making his Olympic debut at Paris 2024 and retaining his title at the 2024 British Athletics Championships (outdoor).
You have recently won Gold in the long jump at the 2025 British Indoor Athletics Championships, how did this feel?
It’s always great to win a national title. It was bittersweet though as in my second round jump I tore my adductor muscle off the bone so stopped all European medal aspirations for the following week.
Before the British Indoor Championships, you competed at the Keely Klassic at the Utilita Arena Birmingham – finishing 2nd in the long jump – can you tell us about your time at this competition?
Overall, it was a good competition in terms of the vibe that they were going for; it wanted that more exciting/entertaining feel and I think they delivered.
What was it like being selected for your Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and how was it representing Team GB in Paris?
I mean, it’s a dream come true. I’ve been doing athletics for nearly 15 years so it’s 15 years of hard work finally recognised. I have been out of university for the past few years and during the week it’s basically 13-to-15-hour days from leaving in the morning and getting back in the evening. I thought coping with this lifestyle would hinder me but I surprised myself with last year’s performances and achievements.
How was it qualifying for and competing in the long jump final at the Stade de France, where you finished in 5th place?
It was amazing, ~82,000 people there that night. I really enjoyed just soaking it all in and coming in and getting 5th which was above where I was ranked to finish was a cherry on top.
What did you enjoy most about competing in Paris and how was it staying in the athletes village?
The atmosphere for sure, athletics is really the pinnacle of the Olympic Games and to get that recognition and be in that spotlight was something I’ll remember forever.
In terms of the athletes village, it’s a great vibe as you’re surrounded by your fellow athletes, and getting to meet with people from all across the globe was something really unique that you don’t really get on that scale outside the Olympics.
How do you find the experience competing at the British Athletics Championships (outdoor), and how was it retaining your title from 2023 at last year’s event?
Retaining titles is important, it keeps a reminder of the level I am competing at. Since I live outside of Europe, I’m not really in that public eye for the UK in the same way other athletes are so it matters to me to win those titles.
Also last year, you finished fourth at the European Athletics Championships in Rome, can you say about this competition?
I loved competing in Rome! The Italians really made it a special experience, and it was the highest level competition for long jump at the European Championships ever, so it be in contention for a medal was amazing.
How different do you find competing indoors opposed to outdoors and do you have a favourite aspect of each?
A lot of people don’t like competing indoors but I do, even though I don’t do it often and I would say I actually prefer the indoor competitions. It’s all on you, no wind factoring in etc. Plus, I like how the closeness of the crowd feels for those meets.
Do you remember how you felt representing Great Britain at an international competition for the first time?
100% I do, I was really a fish out of water. I was 17 at the World Junior Championships and I believe I was the youngest long jumper there. I had improved my PB from 7.20 to 7.61 to get there and I didn’t make the Final but it showed me that there is another level to athletics. More importantly, it showed me how much I want to be able to compete at that level. I took those lessons learned and came back and won a Silver medal at the European Junior Championships the following year.
You have also competed on the American collegiate circuit when you were a student at Oklahoma State University, how was this?
Similarly to competing for GB, the collegiate path was what I needed for that next level, I hadn’t lost a LJ competition in the UK for my age group for over two years. I needed that extra push and it really changed my life for the better. I got to experience things I never would have if I hadn’t. I still live in the US and my athletics career is better for it.
Where does your love of athletics come from and how did you get into long jump?
I actually used to play football as a forward, I wanted to get faster and my older sister did high jump at Leeds City AC so we started going down there. I did a bit of triple jump and mainly hurdling. My first year competing I was top 5 in the nation for 80m hurdles for the U15 age so I thought that was what I was going to go down. My coach suggested LJ and the rest is history, I guess.
What does a typical training day look like for you and how much has it changed over time?
Right now, for the most part it’s:
- Up at 5am
- Gym by 6am
- Work by 7:15am
- Leave work 4:30pm
- Afternoon practice 5pm-6:30/7pm
- Home by 7:45pm-ish
It’s changed a lot over time as I’ve gotten better. Right now, it’s a balancing act with work but previously I was balancing schoolwork so really just one thing has replaced another.
How do you like to spend your time away from sports?
Really doing anything that helps me relax and switch off:
- Video games
- Hanging out with friends
- Doing things with my wife
Just regular activities really.
What competitions are you aiming for later this year?
I’m recovering from injury still but should be at Nationals at the beginning of August.
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