BUDAPEST - Olympic champion Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece won long jump gold at the World Championships on Thursday as his final leap of 8.52 metres edged him ahead of long-time leader Wayne Pinnock of Jamaica.
Last year’s silver medallist Tentoglou got the event off to a flier as he produced a huge season’s best 8.50 with his opening jump, only for Pinnock to match it in the second round.
That put Pinnock, who flew to a world-leading 8.54 metres on his opening jump in Wednesday's qualifying and a personal best by 17cm, in the lead on the back of having the best second jump by one centimetre.
In the final round, though, Tentoglou hit the board perfectly to soar ahead and Pinnock was unable to improve on his final attempt.
Jamaican Tajay Gayle snatched bronze with his final leap of 8.27, matching compatriot Carey McLeod but edging him on countback
Miltos #Tentoglou is a giant.
What a win! #Budapest23 #longjumpfinal pic.twitter.com/u8p4EVUA8M— Ουίνστον Σμιθ 🇺🇦 (@Ouinston) August 24, 2023
On his last jump to take the lead and win the gold in the long jump from Jamaica's Pinnock. Great competition.
"Additional Noteworthy Milestones in Miltos Tentoglou's Career" Among the array of accolades amassed by the exceptional Greek Olympic champion, this gold medal holds a special place. Earlier this summer, Tentoglou clinched another gold in the men's long jump event at the European Games in Krakow. His impressive leap of 8.34 meters not only secured a victory but also contributed crucial points to Greece's standing in the European Athletics Team Championships, marking the third occasion.
Tentoglou's consistent prowess shines through as he rectified his errors to claim triumph, revealing his unwavering commitment to improvement ahead of the World Championships. His accomplishments include a remarkable trifecta of consecutive indoor European titles, coupled with his prestigious Olympic, European, and world indoor champion statuses. The success story extended for Team Hellas, as medals were secured in pole vault, taekwondo, karate, and artistic swimming during the European Games.
In March, Tentoglou once again exhibited his extraordinary talent by securing his third back-to-back indoor European Championships title with an impressive jump of 8.30 meters. This exceptional feat firmly establishes him as the first male long jumper to achieve such a milestone in European indoor competitions. As the reigning Olympic, European, and world indoor champion, Tentoglou's unwavering achievements underscore his exceptional abilities and unwavering dedication to his sport. His victory significantly contributed to Greece's ascent to the seventh spot in the overall rankings of the European Championships.