London: Two-time World Champion Christian Taylor of America continued his supremacy in the triple jump winning his third world title at World Athletics Championship here, Thursday. The 27-year-old Taylor leapt 17.68 m with his third attempt, just five centimeters ahead of his fellow compatriot Will Claye(17.63m) to clinch gold, thus becoming first triple jumper to win three world crowns having won in Daegu(2011) and Beijing(2015) previously. Portugal’s Nelson Evora took bronze with 17.19m mark.
“My motivation is to be the best athlete. This was not the night, I am a little disappointed. But the season is not yet over,” Taylor, the two-time Olympic champion stated. Taylor also thanked his arch rival Claye and said without the latter, he could not have strived for betterment. “Both of us have this urge to outdo the other and in sport great rivalries helps in enhancing performances,” the champion pointed out.
Semenya in semis
2016 Rio Olympics champion Caster Semenya maintained her two-year unbeaten record over 800 metres as she eased into the semifinals here winning her heat Thursday with a time of along with her main challengers Burundian Francine Niyonsaba(1:59.56s), Margaret Wambui(2:00.75s) of Kenya and Ajee Wilson(2:00.52s) of the USA. However, defending champion Maryna Arzamasova of Belarus got eliminated after finishing fourth in her heat. “I just want to keep winning and that is all I’m concentrating on. I’m feeling okay after the 1,500 metres, so I’m ready to go again,” said Semenya after the race.
Agencies
