In one smooth, fluid movement through the air, Arantxa King leapt to ?the best experience? of her athletics career on Sunday evening in Morocco.

More than 24 hours later, as she drove home to Massachusetts yesterday from New York, the long-legged long jumper still couldn?t believe she was champion of the world ? the IAAF World Youth champion that is.

?No, not at all,? she replied when asked if her victory had sunk in. ?I really can?t believe it. It?s really weird. I don?t even think of myself winning. It doesn?t even feel like I?ve done it.?

In the process of securing Bermuda?s first-ever medal at the elite competition for athletes, aged 15-17, from across the globe with an effort of 6.39 metres, King smashed both the national junior and senior records, surpassing Zindzi Swan?s 6.05 metres at last year?s Carifta Games.

Having already qualified for next year?s Commonwealth Games and the IAAF?s next level of competition ? the World Junior Championships for Under-20s ? the 15-year-old almost earned the right to attend next month?s IAAF Athletics World Championships in Helsinki ? her winning leap not far from the 6.60 metres necessary to earn a berth to the most prestigious IAAF meet.

?I was so surprised. I was in shock. I sat down and took it all in. I was happy and everyone was cheering. It was exciting,? recalled King of the thrilling aftermath of her landmark jump in the final in Marrakesh.

Did she instinctively know the third of her six attempts was superb?

?I think what was important was that my whole foot was on the board. I got all of the board and that was the first time because usually I?m behind the board or all over the place. I guess that was my last really hard jump and I put all my energy into it and tried my hardest to reach out into the sandpit.

?I thought it was a good jump but I didn?t know how good it was. I landed differently than I usually land and the crowd was like ?Wow?. I thought it would be around 6.10. I didn?t realise it was as far as 6.39,? the tenth grader told .

Explaining what happened on her landing the Medford High School student said she usually lands with her feet together but, this time, her feet were apart and ?because I went a further distance my legs were still moving in the air and I got more extension?.

When her distance was posted the outburst was deafening; her Bermudian team-mates in the stand cheering crazily.

Despite her increasing excitement, she was savvy enough to know it wasn?t over yet, not with three rounds of competition remaining. So, shirking off a tight left hamstring, she opted to take all her jumps and only allowed herself to savour the moment after the third-last competitor finished.

She would be going home with a medal for sure!

A few minutes later and she was confirmed as the gold medallist ? to her 11 rivals? surprise.

?I think when I jumped the 6.39 they all started wondering who is this. They didn?t expect it, especially the two French girls who had the best jumps coming in. I wasn?t at the bottom but I wasn?t outstanding,? she recalled, concluding that some of the finalists may have utilised too much energy in Saturday?s qualifying round.

Having achieved her goal of a 20-foot jump and a new PB ? with her qualifying mark of 6.14 metres ? King said she determined to do even better in the final but had no thoughts of being on the podium.

Now, her first outing at international level ranks as the best of her fledgling but extremely promising career.

Said King who paraded the national flag in front the crowd after winning: ?It was really cool standing on the podium. I was smiling the whole time and everyone was standing up for the anthem. It was the best experience of my athletics career ? totally unforgettable.?