Fabrice Lapierre wins World Indoor long jump gold
Mar 13, 2010 | Track and Field
March 13, 2010
DOHA, QATAR - A day after setting the Australian national record in the long jump, Texas A&M graduate Fabrice Lapierre claimed the World Indoor Championship with an effort of 26-9 3/4 (8.17) to become his country's first gold medalist in the event.
"My jump was not that great, but good enough for gold," said Lapierre. "It means a lot to win here. It builds my confidence and now I look forward to the summer season. I want to do the Commonwealth Games and a good Diamond League."
In the qualifying round on Friday, Lapierre led the field with an Australia and Oceania record of 26-10 1/2 (8.19). His recent collection of honors and achievements also include a pair of World Athletics Final long jump titles in 2008 and 2009.
The event started with Lapierre registering a pair of fouls in the opening two rounds. Needing a mark in the third stanza just to continue to the final three rounds, Lapierre jumped to the overall lead with a 26-3 1/2 (8.01).
With the field reordered after the initial three jumps, Lapierre became the last jumper in the final three rounds.
In the fourth round his leading mark was matched by France's Salim Sdiri, who took over the lead with a better second jump used in tie breakers. Lapierre responded with a 26-6 1/2 (8.09) to reclaim first place and even had inches to spare behind the board on his takeoff.
The fifth round had Lapierre extending his lead to 26-9 3/4. Then the sixth round theatrics followed with South African Godfrey Mokoena, the defending World Indoor champion, producing a season best of 26-6 1/4 (8.08) to move into second. Fellow Australian Michael Watt then generated a 26-3 1/2 (8.01) to secure third while Sdiri slipped back into fourth place.
Those efforts allowed Lapierre to forgo his final attempt, which resulted in a foul.
Lapierre and Watt became the first ever medalist for Australia at a World Indoors in the long jump, bettering the fourth place effort from Peter Burge in 2001. Lapierre is the sixth Australian to earn gold at a World Indoor Championships.
