Report10 Jul 2011


Girls Long Jump Final – Porter captures second medal with final round leap

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Chanice Porter of Jamaica jumping to World Youth gold in Lille (© Getty Images)

Lille, FranceSaving her proverbial best for last, Jamaican Chanice Porter took the girls’ Long Jump with a dramatic final round leap.


Sitting in sixth position after five jumps, Porter, one of the strong pre-championships medal contenders reached deep and found was she was looking for, sailing to 6.22m winner to take the first-ever medal for Jamaica in the event, and the second for the 17-year-old at these Championships.


The bronze medallist in the High Jump two days ago, Porter started the final day of competition as the second farthest jumper in the field, but clearly struggled early on.


Russian Marina Buchelnikova took the early lead after her 6.06m opener, holding a one centimetre advantage over Ukraine’s Maryna Bekh, the world leader at 6.47m.


Porter, who opened with a 5.90m leap, improved to 6.03m in round two but was stuck there, fouling in rounds three and four, and reaching just 5.89m in round five.


Meanwhile, Italy’s Anastassia Angioi moved to the lead courtesy of a second round 6.17m leap, with Buchelnikova in second, having improved to 6.11m in the fifth round.


Porter’s winner in the final round – equaling the shortest winning leap ever at these Championships – relegated the Italian to second and the Russian to the bronze position.


“I’m so happy to get a medal,” said Buchelnikova, seemingly echoing the sentiments of the gold and silver medalists, “even though I know I can get better results.”


Bob Ramsak for the IAAF


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