Monster leap as Taylor wins triple jump gold

Olympic champion Christian Taylor produced the second longest triple jump in history on Thursday as he won the world title with a huge leap of 18.21m.

The Dutch-based American left it late before nailing the big jump on his sixth and final attempt to add to the world championship gold he won in 2011.

Only Jonathan Edwards has jumped further, 18.29 in 1995, and Taylor said his sights were firmly fixed on the Briton's world record.

"It was a great fight and I saved it until my last jump," said Taylor. "We are that close to a record, this makes you even hungrier!

"I am looking forward to Rio (Olympics) with the other competitors."

Cuban rival Pedro Pablo Pichardo claimed silver with a best of 17.73m, and 2008 Olympic champion Nelson Evora took bronze when he went out to 17.52m with his last jump.

"I feel so upset and so disappointed," said Pichardo, who had the previous world leading distance of 18.09m. "I didn't feel 100 percent okay and I could not get into my speed.

"I really expected further jumps and even attacks (on) the record today. I thought I was going to get it together but I just wasn't fast enough.

"I cannot be happy with the silver."

Pichardo and Taylor have produced a fine season of jumping which has once more seen the mythical 18-metre mark attained on a regular basis.

On five occasions, in three separate competitions -- the Doha and Lausanne IAAF Diamond League meetings and Havana's Barrientos Memorial -- the pair have exceeded 18 metres with Taylor maintaining a 3-2 edge.

Only three other jumpers -- world record-holder Edwards, American Kenny Harrison and injured Frenchman Teddy Tamgho -- have gone beyond 18 metres.
Source: AFP