The 26-year-old from Albufeira switched clubs, coaches, and even cities in just six months — returning to Sporting after years at Benfica and moving to Maia to train under José Barros.

On Sunday in Torun, Poland, it all came together. Baldé delivered the jump of his life — 8.46 metres on his final attempt — securing gold with the best mark of the year.

The win marks a major turning point for the Portuguese jumper, who has struggled with inconsistency in recent years, including a difficult final at the 2024 European Championships. Now, he looks calmer, more confident, and far more mature.

After the victory, Baldé credited his coach for helping him stay composed, saying the focus was simply to trust the work they had done.

His gold is not only a personal breakthrough but also part of Portugal's historic performance at the championships, where the country achieved its best-ever results indoors.