Rome (AFP) – European long jump champion Malaika Mihambo broke the seven metres mark for the first time in her career with a wind-assisted 7.07 metres (+0.5) leap on her way to victory in the Diamond League meet in Rome.
Mihambo pulled out the jump on her fourth attempt to become the first woman this year to break the symbolic seven-metre mark, with the longest jump in two years.
The 25-year-old finished ahead of Olympic triple jump champion Caterine Ibarguen (6.87) of Colombia and former Olympic and four-time world champion Brittney Reese (6.76m) of the United States.
Earlier Poland’s Konrad Kukowieczki won the shot put with a new meet record of 21.97 metres, breaking the mark which had been achieved in Rome nine years ago.
American Darrell Hill came second with his final throw of 21.71 with Brazil’s Darlan Romani third (21.68) and world champion Joe Kovacs of the United States dropping to fourth despite a season’s best 21.46.
China’s Lyu Huihui won the women’s javelin throw, in the fourth leg of the IAAF series.
The 29-year-old Asian record holder and world bronze medallist threw a best of 66.47 metres to finish ahead of Turkey’s Eda Tugusz (64.51) and Latvia’s Lina Muze (63.72).
Czech two-time Olympic javelin champion Barbora Spotakova finished seventh as she returns following the birth or her second child last year.
World champion Spotakova, 37, set the world record of 72.28 metres back in 2008.
“To be back after the second child is a big difference,” she said.
“In 2014 I came here with my partner and first child but this year I decided to come alone. I think it was one of my biggest mistakes, I’m not used to be being this relaxed.
“A few things went wrong. It looks like I have to be in tonus to perform well.”
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