Juan Miguel Echevarría: Unreachable in Madrid, with 8.41 meters

February 22, 2020

Expectation was part of the long jump at the Meeting Villa de Madrid. The reason was the debut of Cuban Juan Miguel Echevarría, a man who rose to stardom after winning the title at the 2018 indoor world championship and who in 2019 surprised with a jump of 8.92 m, the second best in history with wind exceeding the permitted limit. However, the curiosity was short-lived and the islander erased it along with the competition record: 8.41 m and first place.

The opening jump was barely enough for the Camagüey native to demonstrate his current form and with a jump of 8.33 m climb to the top of the early athletic season standings.

Such a demonstration offered reassurance and the creole settled his second attempt with another good 8.31 m, equally surpassing the tournament record and above the 8.16 m that until today had the Jamaican Carey McLeod as ranking leader.

Echevarría decided not to jump in the third round and a no-jump was his result in the fourth. He also preferred to skip the second-to-last opportunity and concentrate all his energy for the final attempt. The strategy paid off.

Strong approach run, perfect arrival at the board, elevation, body movement in the air, and the torso landing at 8.41 m from the white line that marks the takeoff point. Juan Miguel is in peak form.

Behind the creole were Greek Miltiadis Tentoglou (8.07 m) and Swede Thobias Montler (8.02 m). Japanese Yuki Hashioka (8.02 m) was the other jumper who managed to surpass eight meters.

Even without the presence of his main rivals from last season, the mark achieved by Juan Miguel reaffirms him as one of the main Cuban options to fight for a medal and for the Olympic title at Tokio 2020. In turn, it means the best start to a season for him in his short career in world athletics.