Jumping Sensation: Will Claye Soars to Third-Best Triple Jump in History
On Saturday, World indoor triple jump champion Will Claye delivered a stunning performance at the Jim Bush Track and Field meeting in Long Beach, California. The 28-year-old American produced the third-best result in history, leaping an impressive 18.14 meters in the second round of the competition.
Claye, who was contesting just his second meet of the 2019 season, showcased his exceptional skills, with his winning jump being his only valid attempt of the series. Chris Benard finished a distant runner-up with a mark of 16.71 meters.
The world and Olympic silver medalist had opened his season with a 17.40-meter victory in Baie-Mahault last month, but few could have anticipated the 18.14-meter leap that would cement Claye’s place among the elite of the triple jump.
This performance makes him just the sixth man in history to surpass the elusive 18-meter barrier, with only world record-holder Jonathan Edwards (18.29m) and Olympic champion Christian Taylor (18.21m) having jumped farther.
Claye’s day got even better as he won the long jump with a best effort of 8.21 meters (1.5m/s), his best performance in that event since 2012 – the year in which he won medals in both horizontal jumping disciplines at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Elsewhere at the Long Beach meet:
- Brittney Reese, multiple world champion, took victory in the long jump with 6.95 meters.
- Brianna McNeal, Olympic champion, completed a 100m hurdles and flat double with times of 12.71 and 11.20 seconds, respectively.
- Jon Jones won the shot put with a throw of 21.51 meters.
🔗 Source
