Athletics
ESPN staff 6y

Echevarria beats Manyonga to long jump gold as Ivory Coast grab 1-2 in 60m

Olympic Sports

Juan Miguel Echevarria of Cuba is the new World Indoor long jump champion after leaping 8.46m in a thrilling final in Birmingham.

Just four centimetres separated all three medallists as the 19-year-old jumped a personal best to edge out South Africa's Luvo Manyonga, who managed 8.44m and American Marquis Dendy, who jumped 8.42m.

Former world and Olympic champion Greg Rutherford of Great Britain pulled out of the competition earlier in the week in order to concentrate on gaining full fitness for the outdoor season.

In the women's 60m, Murielle Ahoure broke the seven-second barrier on her way to the gold medal.

Ahoure started best of all and romped home in 6.97 seconds -- the seventh fastest time in history -- as the Ivory Coast secured a one-two with Ahoure's teammate Marie-Josee Ta Lou in second in 7.05 seconds.

Ahoure said afterwards: "I ran the times in practice and my coach told me that if I execute, I'll win.

"Last year, I lost my father to cancer, which he was battling for about two and a half years. My performances went down and I was depressed. I had to deal with his death and I don't know how I got fourth at the Worlds last year because I was in it mentally.

"Being able to talk to my family, my mother, my coach and mentor have been fantastic. This medal is for everyone in my team because it takes a team to do this. I think we made history and it's the Ivory Coast that's winning."

Ta Lou added: "I'm happy for my teammate because she made a national record and an African record. It's good for us. It's like a dream. I didn't expect to have a medal. I'm just happy."

Switzerland's Mujinga Kambundji was less than a hundredth of a second further back in the bronze medal place as she clocked a personal best.

^ Back to Top ^