HAVANA.- A phenomenal record of 8.92 meters had Juan Miguel Echevarría in the final of the long jump, corresponding to the Cuba Cup of Athletics that hosted the auxiliary track of the Pan-American Stadium, this capital.

Winner of the gold medal at the World Indoor Championships with stage in Birmingham, last year, Echevarría got that record out of series this Sunday, in his first attempt, although it will not be homologated because he made it with wind in favor of 3.3 meters per second (m/s).

Before competing today, the young athlete, native from the province of Camagüey, reached as a personal limit in the current season a jump of 8.21 m, which guaranteed him the title in the Grand Prix based in the city of Birmingham, last February.

On the excellent performance of his pupil, coach Daniel Osorio, who in turn is the technical chief of the National Athletics Commission, told the press, very excited, that they did not expect such an extraordinary result; the plan was to jump between 8.40 and 8.50 meters, he said.

He has come to this competition in very good shape and knew that he could achieve a large record, but I did not imagine that it would be 8.92 m, which is undoubtedly impressive no matter the favorable air, he said.

About the Grade 1 sprain he suffered on his right ankle, Echevarría after his only attempt, he pointed out that everything seems to indicate that when he fell into the jumping drawer he had a little vagueness and was hurt, but Osorio assured that there is no reason to worry.

He was also pleased that Echevarría complied with the technical-tactical plan to jump strong in the first attempt and mark as far as possible; now he will continue the preparation with a view to the main commitment of the year, the Pan American Games of Lima, concluded.

In that test, Maykel Masó (8.30 m) and Lester Lescay (7.77 m), were placed second and third on the podium, in that order.

Other winners of the gold medal this Sunday were Yaniubis Lopez in the Bale drive, with 17.82 m, and Elianis Despaigne (66.90 m) at the hammer release; while Luis Zayas (2.13 m) dominated the high jump.

Likewise, Zurin Hechavarría was imposed in the 400 m with hurdles with time of 56.96 seconds, and in the modality won among the men Leandro Zamora (50.17).

Translated by Linet Acuña Quilez