World junior season leader Teddy Tamgho lived up to the pre-competition expectations winning France’s first gold medal of these Championships with a windy 17.33 which he backed up with two other jumps over 17 metres in the triple jump final.
Cuba’s Osviel Hernandez was closest with a fourth round windy 16.90 while the rest of the field was way off, Bahrain’s Mohamed Yusuf Salman prevailing for bronze with 16.59.
The national junior record holder at 16.85 and with an indoor PB of 16.94, also a national junior record, Tamgho opened with a 17.03 which would have been a new French standard but for a 2.7 tail wind reading.
Yet the tone was set and the Aulnay-sous-bois resident only had to hold on to his lead. A feat which didn’t prove too hard as no other jumper cleared 16.60 until round four.
That is when Hernandez, who was lying in fifth position, put together his best effort of the day his 16.90, also windy, was within 13 centimetres of the lead.
But Tamgho was determined the win would be his and immediately responded with his winning effort.
“I am so excited,” said Tamgho. “It is not only my victory but also a victory for my team and my country. My plans for the future? Just hard work and be better and better.”
Laura Arcoleo for the IAAF
