Ivan Pedroso (Cuba) jumping at the 2002 World Cup (© Getty Images)
After being sidelined with injury for much of 2003, Cuba's Olympic Long Jump champion Ivan Pedroso provided at least some indication last night at the EAA meeting in Padova (6 July) that he cannot yet be counted out in his attempt to win a fifth consecutive World Long Jump crown in Paris next month.
Negotiating strong and at times swirling winds, the five-time World Indoor champion showed evidence of a return to form with an 8.31m (27-3.75) leap in front of an appreciative crowd of long jump funs at the 17th Citta di Padova meeting.
After an off-balance first round 7.91 leap, the Cuban followed with his respectable 8.31 to propel him to the number six spot on the 2003 world list. It was a substantial seasonal improvement for Pedroso, whose best leap this season was 7.98 in Trikala on June 24.
The battle for second was a fiercely fought one, and by far, the biggest crowd pleaser at the Stadio Eugenio. 20 year-old Ghanaian Ignisious Gaisah reached 8.21 twice, once without an assisting wind, to extend his own national record and finish just a centimetre ahead of crowd favorite Nicola Trentin. Spurred on by the vociferous crowd, the Italian added five centimetres to his personal best from last year.
Elsewhere, the Cuban contingent shined as well. Both straight hurdles races were dominated by athletes from the Caribbean Island, with a start-to-finish win by Yahumara Neyra in the women's race to start the meet. and a 13.57 performance by Anier Garcia in the men's race. But the Olympic champion, running against a 2.2 mps wind, was upstaged by compatriot Yuniel Hernandez's strong middle race surge, who was first to the tape in 13.46.
In his first race since his world leading 44.33 at the US championships last month, Tyree Washington fought a strong backstretch headwind and a late race challenge by Jerome Young to win the men's 400m by nearly two-tenths of a second in 45.18.
"The wind on the backstretch was really tough," said Washington, who remains undefeated in five races since claiming the World Indoor title in March. "It was a good win for me to build up my confidence. You always need a confidence booster. You know," he added, "I've had a lot of hardships. I just want to take it one race at a time and really enjoy myself."
Washington's next race will be in Rome on Friday, before he returns home for some rest and preparation for what will be a hectic August schedule.
The wind also wreaked havoc with Stacy Dragila, who needed three attempts at 4.40 before an easy clearance at 4.50 to win the Pole Vault.
"[The wind] wasn't so much pushing me off the runway," the reigning World and Olympic champion explained, "but it was making me run very fast. My coach clocked me a few times, and said that he'd never seen me run that fast. So my timing was off today."
Dragila said she'll be heading to her new home in Phoenix, Arizona for at least three weeks - possibly five, if she decides to forego two meets on her upcoming schedule - to continue her fine tuning with new coach Greg Hull.
"I just really want to continue focusing on my technique and finding my rhythm so I can come back for the World Championships and hold on to my title, and possibly jump the world record. I feel it's in me, it's just a matter of putting it all together."
Her event is much different now than it was when she was so dominant two years ago, a fact that is not lost on Dragila.
"It's exciting to see where the women's Pole Vault has gone. It's awesome to see Svetlana [Feofanova] and Yelena Isinbayeva just jump out of their head every meet now. They're kind of doing what I was doing two years ago. I want to be right there with them, and I think I'm just a hair off of it."
In his first outing since earning the dubious distinction of being the fastest non-qualifier at the US championships, Justin Gatlin won by a whisker over Jamaican Asafa Powell. Running into a 1.6 mps wind, both were timed in 10.32, but the nod was given to the World Indoor 60m champion.
"I feel good," Gatlin said, referring to a hamstring injury that has been lingering since he failed to finish the 200m at the Banamex Grand Prix in Mexico City in early May. "I just wanted to come out here and do the best I could in my condition," which he described as "85 per cent."
"My start felt good, but it's more towards the end of the race where I need some work." Gatlin plans to be on the start list in Rome this Friday as well.
Americans Christian Cantwell and reigning World champion John Godina waged a tight battle in the Shot Put. Each reached 20.71 in the third round, but the NCAA runner-up improved to 20.72 in the final round, edging Godina by a mere centimetre. Reese Hoffa (20.23) finished third to complete the US podium sweep.
On Saturday, Yipsi Moreno won the Hammer throw with a 73.91 best, just shy of her 74.07 North American record from late May, while Ester Balassini extended her own Italian national record by 13cm to 70.43 to finish second.
