Triple jumper Yoandri Betanzos and High jumper Victor Moya, the 2005 Helsinki World Championships medallist and World Athletics Final winner, confirmed their good form prior to their 2006 international debuts as Betanzos flew to a 17.63 PB and Moya cleared 2.30 at a weekend competition in Havana.
In successful weekend for Cubans jumpers at Havana’s Estadio Panamericano, Betanzos landed at 17.63 with a legal wind of 1.0 m/s to improve his 17.53 best from the 2004 Athens Olympics.
On Saturday, Betanzos, who will turn 24 on 15 February, opened his series with 17.26 (+2.6) and sealed the victory his second and final effort of 17.63, a World leading mark in 2006.
“I wanted to jump this far at home before competing in Europe," said a euphoric Betanzos. "I have said that my win in Monaco marked a turning point in my career. I am happy with my medals, but I am tired of being second. I believe Moscow is a good opportunity to change that."
After winning five medals (four silver and one bronze) in all five World Championships he has entered -one youth, one junior, two senior outdoor and one indoor - Betanzos sent a clear message of his intentions to claim the title at the World Indoor Championships in Moscow.
Yoelbi Quesada, the 1997 World champion, proved that his successful career is not over yet as he landed at 17.38 (+4.2), his longest jump since 2002.
Twenty-year old Alexis Copello leaped over 17 meters four times, including 17.20 (+2.4) and a legal (1.0) to finish third, ahead of David Giralt (17.06/+2.9).
In the High Jump, held on Friday, Victor Moya cleared 2.30 for the first time ever in Cuba, to beat Olympic finalist Lisvany Perez (2.25) and Argentina’s Erasmo Jara (2.10).
“I am obviously happy to achieve 2.30 with a five-step run-up," Moya said. "I am ready to compete against the world’s best and I want to be consistent over 2.30. If I do, I can jump higher than last year."
Moya had jumped 2.25 a week earlier and achieved his season best on his third attempt. He had a failed attempt over 2.32 before finishing the competition.
The strong tail wind propelled 2005 Helsinki fourth place finisher and Triple Jump runner-up Yargelis Savigne to a windy 6.81 (+2.3) and Ibrahím Camejo to 8.35 (+4.2).
The latter ended his series with 8.34 (+2.7) and was followed by Yoelmis Pacheco (8.04w), Reinier Reyes (7.96w) and Wilfredo Martinez. Nine-time World champion and 2000 Olympic gold medallist Ivan Pedroso did not have a valid jump, but his fifth effort was measured at 8.45.
On Thursday, Helsinki finalist Guillermo Martínez was also impressive in the Javelin as he threw 81.71 and had two other 80-plus throws to beat South American champion Luiz Fernando da Silva of Brazil (74.51).
Other winners were Yusmay Bicet in the Triple Jump (13.30), with a strong head wind, Brazil’s South American champion Alessandra Resende in the Javelin (52.42) and Yarianny Arguelles in the High Jump (1.83).
Some of the top Cuban athletes are expected to travel to Europe soon to start their indoor campaign prior to Moscow. Others will continue to train and compete in Havana as a warm up for the National Championships, to be held March 21-26.
Javier Clavelo Robinson for the IAAF
