News Americas, MOSCOW, Russia, Fri. Aug. 16, 2013: On Day 6 of the IAAF World Championship in Russia, Trinidad and Tobago’s Jehue Gordon took the gold in the men’s 400 m hurdles in a time of 47.69 while Colombian Caterine Ibarguen won the women’s triple jump.
He beat back London 2012 silver medallist Michael Tinsley, who clocked a PB of 47.70 and Serbia’s Emir Bekric, who surprisingly took the bronze and set a national recird of 48.05.
Ibarguen, the Olympic silver medallist and Daegu bronze medallist, took the lead after the second round equalling Olga Saladuha’s World lead of 14.85 m (+0.2). The Universiade champion Yekaterina Koneva (Russia) responded with 14.81 m (+0.9). Saladukha couldn’t defeat her title from Daegu 2011, she placed third with a14.65 m (+0.9) jump.
In commenting on the win Gordon said, “To win the gold here was one of my goals and I’m just so happy I have achieved it, I don’t know what to say. My next goals are to become the PanAm champion, the Olympic champion. Those victories won’t come easy, I know, but I’ll just keep working and believing in myself.”
He gave 150 percent credit to his coach, who he said kept telling him “that my body is capable of incredible things.”
“This victory will change my life, but won’t change me as a person. After I finish my season in Brussels, I’ll continue my sports management studies,” added Gordon.
Ibaeguen for her part said: “I’m extremely happy right now. This gold means a lot to me and to my country.”
She thanked her mom, her grandmother, her friends and fans.
“I worked hardly for this championship and to become the first gold medal winner from Colombia feels so good! I’m proud to make that contribution into the history of my country. Now I’m going to the hotel to have some rest, but I’m so excited and happy,” added Ibaeguen.
Earlier in the week, twice Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce from Jamaica won the 100 m race in 10.71and world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt won the men’s 100-m gold in the rain to regain the 100-m title.
