Yaimé and Denia, gold and silver records

October 5, 2019

Cuba experienced its best day at the athletics World Championship by winning gold and silver in the discus throw, through Yaimé Pérez (69.17 meters) and Denia Caballero (68.44), respectively, in a formidable competition where both were always in the lead.

The Cuban discus throwers engaged in a battle for the title and from the very beginning overshadowed the stellar Croatian Sandra Perkovic, disconcerted by three no throws. These two medals elevated Cuba to eighth place, tied with Bahrain, as a result of one medal of each color.

Yaimé, holder of 69.39 meters, has the best throw of the year, maintaining stability throughout the season. Everything indicates that she managed the pressure generated by an event of this magnitude and established herself as the world leader, which is confirmed by her results in the last 12 months, with 11 throws above 65 meters. Now in Doha, from her first visit to the throwing circle, Yaimé, with a 68.10, made clear that she would be seeking gold.

Denia Caballero, world champion in Beijing 2015, was no less and added flavor to the final, placing herself in front after four throws with a mark of 68.44 meters, although she found a quick response from her countrywoman, when she sent the implement to 69.17 meters on her fifth attempt. For the first time two Cubans achieve first and second place in this specialty.

GOLD FOR QATAR

Thanks to the presence of local idol Mutaz Essa Barshim, in the high jump final, attendance and atmosphere were observed at Khalifa stadium in keeping with the third most important sporting spectacle on the planet.

In this final, the 22-year-old Luis E. Zayas, who has experienced notable improvement in recent months under the tutelage of trainer Francisco Centelles, had a faultless performance up to 2.30 meters, a personal record, the same mark with which he was crowned at the recent Lima Pan American Games.

However, Zayas was unable to clear the bar set at 2.33 and in what represents the most notable result of his career, he finished fifth in a competition dominated by favorite Barshim with 2.37 meters.

WORLD RECORD

American Dalilah Muhammad, Olympic champion from Rio de Janeiro 2016, shattered the world record in the 400 meters with hurdles, completing the lap around the oval in 52.16 seconds, to crown herself champion for the first time in world competition. The previous record was held by Russian Yuliya Pechonkina (54.34), set on August 8, 2003.

Friday medalists

High jump (m): Mutaz Essa Barshim (QAT), 2.37 meters; Mikhail Akimenko (ANA), 2.35; Ilya Ivanyuk (ANA), 2.35. Discus throw (w): Yaimé Pérez (CUB), 69.17 meters; Denia Caballero (CUB), 68.44; Sandra Perkovic (CRO), 66.72. 400 meters with hurdles (w): Dalilah Muhammad (USA), 52.16 seconds (WR); Sydney McLaughlin (USA), 52.23; Rushell Clayton (JAM), 53.74. 3,000 meters with obstacles (m): Conseslus Kipruto (KEN), 8:01.35; Lamecha Girma (ETH), 8:01.36; Soufiane El Bakkali (MAR), 8:03.76. 400 meters (m): Steven Gardiner (BAH), 43.48 seconds; Anthony José Zambrano (COL), 44.15; Fred Kerley (USA), 44.17.