INDIANAPOLIS - Mike Powell setting the men's world long jump record at the 1991 World Outdoor Championships was honored by USA Track & Field as the fifth-greatest moment in U.S. track and field history in the last 25 years.

At the 1991 World Outdoor Championships in Tokyo, Japan, Powell and Carl Lewis did battle in what many consider to be the greatest long jump competition in history.

Lewis wasted no time in taking the lead in the first round with a then Championships record leap of 8.68 meters/28 feet, 5.75 inches. Powell assumed second place in round two with a jump of 8.54m/28-0.25, before Lewis propelled himself to a wind-aided 8.83m/28-11.75 in the third round. Powell's monster fourth round jump was ruled a foul shortly before Lewis improved his lead with a stunning wind-aided jump of 8.91m/29-2.75.

In the fifth round Powell hit the board aggressively and landed in the pit with a new world record, having soared 8.95m/29-4.50. Powell's effort bettered the miraculous gold medal winning jump and previous world record of 8.90m/29-2.50 by Bob Beamon at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.

Lewis tried valiantly to catch Powell with his final two attempts of 8.87m/29-1.25 & 8.84m/29-0, but he fell short of Powell's epic jump that continues to reign as the world record.

"This is a dream come true," said Powell afterwards. "Honestly, I thought Carl would beat me in the last jump. I have conditioned myself for so long to see him come from behind and beat me. I thought he would jump nine meters."

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