China's Gong Luying, winner of the long jump at the Asian Youth Championships (© Athletics Asia)
In an event without a clear-cut favourite, it is China's Gong Luying who is leading the field with her 6.35m from the national U18 championships in April, which she followed with a win at the Asian U18 Championships a month earlier.
Lea-Sophie Klik of Germany ranks just behind Gong with her recent 6.31m, which represented a new personal best by 23 centimetres. Next in line is Chantoba Bright of Guyana, who took the South American U20 title this year with 6.30m and is also the reigning Carifta Games U18 champion.
Beyond the top three, it is difficult to identify other top contenders. One possible dark horse is Kristine Blazevica of Latvia, who jumped 6.28m indoors this year, although her outdoor best remains a modest 5.84m.
Pawel Jackowski for the IAAF
