Will Claye of the United States competes in the Men's Triple Jump qualification during day two - WIC Istanbul (© Getty Images)
In Doha 2 years ago, the men's Triple Jump was the climax of the championships with Teddy Tamgho of France setting the sole World record of the competition in the final day.
Here in Istanbul, we have already been treated to 2 World records on day one and day two respectively and although the Triple Jump final was of very high standard, there wouldn't be another tonight.
Daegu bronze medallist Will Claye, the US Indoor champion, became only the third American to win the Triple Jump World Indoor title after he stepped, hopped and jumped to a World leading 17.70 in the fourth round.
Christian Taylor, the outdoor World champion and the man who had led the qualifiers yesterday, also improved his season’s best performance to complete the first ever 1-2 finish for team USA in this event.
However, it was Taylor who made the first huge impact on the competition as the 21-year-old opened his final with a massive World lead of 17.63.
Claye’s opening jump was short of the 17 metres mark and with is next 2 jumps both fouls; he resumed incredibly well to finish strongly. The unfortunate fourth place finisher in yesterday’s Long Jump final, Claye had no intention of remaining medalless this time, just the contrary he was striking for gold.
His best of the day came in round 4 but Claye was evidently in one of those days when jumping looks so easy; he landed to 17.63 and 17.53 to complete a superb series.
All of Taylor’s legal jumps were also measured beyond 17 metres today but he could not improve on his opening effort which was worth a silver medal.
In bronze, Russia’s Lyukman Adams set a personal best 17.36 with his fifth attempt to snatch the medal from Fabrizio Donato of Italy.
