Havana, September 12 (RHC) – Roxana Gómez became the first representative of Cuba in a final of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship, by qualifying for the medal competition in the 400 meters.
The Cienfuegos native completed the lap of the oval in 50.34 seconds, securing fourth place in her qualifying heat. Ahead of her were Dominican Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino with a time of 49.58, followed by Bahraini Salwa Eid Naser (49.67) and Jamaican Nickisha Pryce (49.72).
In the other round, Norwegian Henriette Jaeger dominated with an outstanding time of 49.64. At 23 years old, she appears poised to be Paulino’s main rival. The young athlete surpassed Dutchwoman Lieke Klaver (49.76), American Aaliyah Butler (49.82), and Chilean Martina Weil (50.32), the latter achieving her best mark of the year at this elite competition.
The highlight of this unique competition in Budapest was the pole vault. There, Armand Duplantis and the Greek Emmanouil Karalis met to express a rivalry that is no longer a novelty. The Swedish Olympic and world champion and world record holder has finally found an adversary.
Now, in the Hungarian capital, Mondo won with relative ease after the Greek failed to clear 6.05 meters. He then cleared 6.15 meters, but the skydiver soared above 6.20 meters, leaving his opponent with no other option but to clear that height. Karalis ordered the bar raised to 6.25 meters, a challenge for any mortal, including Duplantis.
However, he failed all three attempts. Already the winner, Mondo attempted another world record, challenging for 6.32 meters, but he was unsuccessful.
In the 5000 meters, Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen won with a time of 12 minutes, 59.24 seconds, despite having undergone Achilles tendon surgery just seven months prior.
Among the winners on the first day were Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh, also an Olympic champion, in the high jump with 1.99 meters; and Germany’s Merlin Hummel, winner of the hammer throw with 81.46 meters. Great Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson, recently crowned European champion, won the women’s 800-meter semifinal, qualifying alongside Audrey Werro and Femke Broeders-Bol.
The women’s triple jump final is scheduled for Sunday, in which three of the seven competitors are Cuban. World champion Leyanis Pérez, Davisleydis Velazco and Liadagmis Povea will be aiming for the Ultimate podium.
