ANDÚJAR, SPAIN, September 06—Inessa Kravets has reigned atop the all-time triple jump list for more than 20 years now, her World Record 50-10¼ (15.50) dating all the way back to the ’95 World Championships in Gothenburg. Françoise Mbango of Cameroon gave the Ukrainian’s mark a decent scare at the ’08 Olympics with her 50-6 (15.39), but that was more than a decade ago. Yulimar Rojas has now served notice that she’s ready for a major assault on the all-time best.
The 23-year-old Venezuelan started modestly at the Higueras Memorial, fouling her first two attempts before getting on the board at 49-3¾ (15.03). The reigning world champ followed that up with a 47-8 (14.53) and a pass before taking to the runway for the final time. Hitting the board well, she bounded out all the way to 50-6¾ (15.41), giving Kravets her biggest scare yet. Here’s a video clip.
On the men’s side, comebacking Kirani James indicated he might be a force again in Doha, making his yearly debut a 44.47 win.
ANDÚJAR RESULTS
Andújar, Spain, September 06—
200(0.2): 1. Serhiy Smelyk (Ukr) 20.39; 2. Mohamed Yacoub Salem (Bhr) 20.43; 3. Churandy Martina (Hol) 20.50; 4. Yancarlos Martinez (DR) 20.57; 5. Kyree King (US) 20.70.
400: 1. Kirani James (Grn) 44.47; 2. Youssef Mohamed Dagher (Kuw) 45.51.
800: 1. Eric Nzikwinkunda (Bur) 1:45.95 PR; 2. Mateusz Borkowski (Pol) 1:46.84; 3. Andreas Bube (Den) 1:46.95.
1500: 1. Jesús Gómez (Spa) 3:37.10; 2. Hicham Oueladha (Mor) 3:37.47; 3. Adrian Ben (Spa) 3:38.22; 4. Sergio Jiménez (Spa) 3:38.57 PR.
St: 1. Yaser Salem Bagharab (Qat) 8:27.25; 2. Tom Erling Kårbø (Nor) 8:27.67 PR.
400H: 1. Sérgio Fernández (Spa) 49.40; 2. Juander Santos (DR) 49.48; 3. Joshua Abuaku (Ger) 49.61; 3. Khallifah Rosser (US) 49.61; 5. Oskari Mörö (Fin) 49.87.
LJ: 1. Kristian Pulli (Fin) 26-2¼ (7.98).
SP: 1. Francisco Belo (Por) 67-9 (20.65).
HT: 1. Javier Cienfuegos (Spa) 260-5 (79.38) NR (244-4, 251-4, 254-4, 254-6, 256-3, 260-5) (74.48, 76.60, 77.52, 77.57, 78.10, 79.38); 2. Alberto González (Spa) 248-7 (75.78) PR; 3. Krisztián Pars (Hun) 245-3 (74.77); 4. Pedro José Martín (Spa) 238-2 (72.59).
WOMEN
200(-0.3): 1. Tynia Gaither (Bah) 22.84.
1500: 1. Shannon Osika (US) 4:07.73; 2. Tigist Ketema (Eth) 4:08.84; 3. Esther Guerrero (Spa) 4:09.23; 4. Kristiina Mäki (CzR) 4:09.62; 5. Marta Pérez (Spa) 4:09.94.
St: 1. Daisy Jepkemei (Ken) 9:38.78; 2. Michelle Finn (Ire) 9:44.91.
5000: 1. Nozomi Tanaka (Jpn) 15:17.28.
100H(0.3): 1. Payton Chadwick (US) 12.88; 2. Rikenette Steenkamp (SA) 13.02; 3. Tia Jones (US) 13.03; 4. Luca Kozák (Hun) 13.04.
TJ: 1. Yulimar Rojas (Ven) 50-6¾ (15.41) NR (WL) (2, 2 W) (f, f, 49-3¾, 47-8, p, 50-6¾) (f, f, 15.03, 14.53, p, 15.41);
2. Susana Costa (Por) 45-10¾ (13.99); 3. Thea Lafond (Dom) 45-8½ (13.93); 4. Tori Franklin (US) 45-1¾ (13.76).