Robiel Yankiel's world record in long jump

Havana, May 14 (RHC)-- Robiel Yankiel Sol today provided the highest note for the Cuban delegation at the Parathletics Grand Prix of Jesolo 2023, in Italy, with a world record of 7.69 meters in the long jump of the T46 category. 

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic champion had sent signals of his excellent competitive form with a jump of 7.77 meters in a recent confrontation of the national team at the Pan American Stadium in Havana. However, it could not be homologated because it happened in a competition outside the World Parathletics.

Now, in the Italian city, venue of the penultimate stage of the grand prix circuit of the current season, he left no doubts about his status as the best jumper in this category.

The impressive winning jump came on the second attempt of his presentation at the Armando Picchi stadium. He also had other remarkable performances of 7.36 and 7.43 meters.

The previous record of 7.58 meters, set in 2011, was held by Frenchman Arnaud Assoumani, bronze medalist at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games and king at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.

Robiel's superiority was also reflected in the difference between him and his second-place finishers on the podium. Second place went to Japan's Hajimu Ashida with 6.58 meters and third to Egypt's Abdulrhm Shabib with 6.40 meters.

"Everything we had experienced during the preparation made us think that this result would come. The one in Havana did not help us because it was between conventional events, but in the grand prix of Xalapa he made some null jumps that were above the record... We knew he was going to get there," coach Luis Bueno told JIT from the Italian city.

"This is an athlete who deserves these results because of his dedication and discipline," confessed the former Cuban jumper, who is in charge of the jumps area of the island's parathletics team.

Robiel, who turned 20 years old on May 1, was a surprise winner at Tokyo 2020. The goal of eight meters has been present in the minds of both, but the Havana native confesses that in order to reach it, it is necessary to continue perfecting technical elements, gaining in strength and speed. "Then we'll see," he points out.

Sprinter Omara Durand also completed a good day with 24.15 seconds in the 200 meters of the T12 category, a result that satisfied her coach Miriam Ferrer.

"We are doing well, she even ran in the rain. The preparation is going as planned. Here it was important to make her debut in the 100 meters this season," said Miriam in reference to the 12.11 seconds with which the Santiago native won in the hectometer.