Burkina Faso’s Hugues Fabrice Zango Clinches First Global Title in Dramatic Triple Jump Final
Burkina Faso’s Hugues Fabrice Zango secured his maiden global title in a thrilling men’s triple jump final at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. The 30-year-old France-based athlete edged out a pair of Cuban jumpers in a closely contested event that saw the lead change hands multiple times.
Zango, who previously earned an Olympic bronze and two World Championship medals, finally completed his collection with the coveted gold. His penultimate effort of 17.64m propelled him to the top of the podium, just ahead of 25-year-old Lazaro Martinez (17.41m) and teammate Cristian Napoles (17.40m PB), who claimed silver and bronze, respectively.
“Look at my big smiling mouth. It tells you everything. I had so many difficulties and doubts, but I promised to make history and I did it tonight. That is the first gold medal in the men’s triple jump not only for my country, but for Africa as well. I cannot imagine the level of celebration in my country when I go back home, but I’m going to start the celebrations in Budapest.”
The final lacked none of the expected high-quality action, despite the late withdrawal of world and Olympic champion Pedro Pablo Pichardo of Portugal. Zango, second on this year’s world list with 17.81m, seized an early advantage with an opening jump of 17.37m, only to be overtaken by Martinez’s 17.41m in the second round.
The lead continued to change hands, with Napoles moving into silver medal position with a personal best of 17.40m in the fourth round. However, Zango responded emphatically in the fifth round, reclaiming the top spot with a leap of 17.64m, which proved unbeatable.
There was disappointment for Jamaica’s rising star Jaydon Hibbert, the 18-year-old world U20 champion, who was forced to withdraw after the opening round due to a hamstring issue.
Triumphant in his first global title, an elated Zango said, “Look at my big smiling mouth. It tells you everything. I had so many difficulties and doubts, but I promised to make history and I did it tonight. That is the first gold medal in the men’s triple jump not only for my country, but for Africa as well. I cannot imagine the level of celebration in my country when I go back home, but I’m going to start the celebrations in Budapest.”
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