A low, low key competition was only rescued statistically by Panama’s Irving Saladino’s excellent 8.26m opening - ultimately the winning leap for the Americas - and his third attempt of 8.21m.
World season leader and one of six athletes to share the IAAF Golden League Jackpot this summer, Saladino has had his best ever year, with only one centimetre denying him the title of World Indoor champion to add to his long list of achievements in 2006.
Ghana’s, and here Africa’s Ignisious Gaisah, the man who had beaten Saladino to that World Indoor gold had an opening round 8.09m best for fourth place today.
Saudi Mohamed Al-Khuwalidi (Asia) who had held second place since the first round with 8.11m and produced a long foul in the third, was relegated to third in the final series of attempts. A below-par European champion Andrew Howe (ITA), having woken up with 8.08m in the third round, found better form with his last ditch 8.12m on his final approach to the board.
So Americas (9pts), Europe (8), Asia (7).
Chris Turner
