Yago Lamela of Spain qualifies for the long jump final (© Getty Images)
Córdoba, SpainYago Lamela the current World bronze medallist in the Long Jump won an exhibition 3-round contest held in the streets of Córdoba yesterday.
To take the win Lamela defeated America’s Savante Stringfellow who won the World Indoor Championships in Budapest 2004 and the silver medal at the Edmonton World Championships in 2001.
Stringfellow fouled his opening effort while Lamela jumped 7.98; in round 2 the American went out to 7.90 and Lamela produced 7.96. The third and decisive attempt saw the 2002 World Cup winner Stringfellow clearing 7.99 to take the lead but the Spaniard responded successfully and regained the top spot by improving to 8.12.
Lamela said: “I didn’t expect to jump that further today but Stringfellow’s presence always encourages me and he forced me to perform over 8 metres.”
Meanwhile, the world leader this year at 8.31 Stringfellow declared: “When I finished my performance at 7.99 I knew that Lamela would better that mark in his third jump; anyway, I hope to change this runner-up place for a gold medal at the Athens Olympics.”
Emeterio Valiente for the IAAF
