Lázaro Martínez takes a leap

Eugene, July 22 (JIT) - Cuba will once again be in a men's triple jump final, this time with world indoor champion Lázaro Martínez, who with a jump of 17.06 meters advanced to the medal contention at the Oregon 2022 World Championships in Athletics.

Since Tokyo 1991 the Cuban triple jumpers have been in the finals, including Lázaro himself who was in the final of London 2017.

A mark of 17.05 meters was required for direct access to the dispute of the prizes and only five of the 29 contestants managed to achieve it. The highest record was signed by the Olympic champion, also Cuban Pedro Pablo Pichardo, who competes for Portugal (17.16), followed by Hugues Fabrice Zango, from Burkina Faso, 17.15 meters; and Italian Emanuel Ihemenje 17.13.

Andy Hechavarría, the other Cuban in the event, only reached 16.39 meters, not enough to reach the final.

The host Christian Taylor (16.48), two-time Olympic and four-time world champion, who was far from his best version and weighed down by a complicated operation, also failed to qualify.

Also with the presence of Cuba, an elimination heat of the 800 meters for women was run, in which Rose Mary Almanza made a discreet 2:01.96 minutes and said goodbye to the World Championship in 27th place.

Thursday night was also a party for the followers of the sprint events. Jamaica won gold and silver in the 200 meters (f) and the Americans topped the podium in the men's 200 meters.

Shericka Jackson "flew" over the track in 21.45 seconds, a record for the championship and second mark in history, while her teammate Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce - queen of the 100 meters a few days ago - came in second with another impressive time of 21.81 seconds. Great Britain's Dina Asher-Smith (22.02) could not repeat her Doha 2019 gold, but remained among the medalists with bronze.

Among men, the dream of three medals for the same country was realized. The United States repeated the feat previously achieved in Helsinki 2005. This time with Noah Lyles, Kenneth Bednarek and Erriyon Knighton.

Lyles retained his title from three years ago in the Qatari capital, although he clocked a spectacular 19.31 seconds, the third fastest of all time.

All the podium finishers were under 20 seconds, as Bednarek clocked 19.77 and Knighton 19.80. Dominican Alexander Ogando was fifth with 19.93.

This Friday, the actions continue and the pole vault phenomenon, the Swede Armand Duplantis, will make his debut in the World Championships in the qualifying stage.