Pedro Pablo Pichardo, a Cuban-born Portuguese triple-jumper, made history this Friday by becoming Portugal’s first-ever two-time world champion in athletics after winning gold in the triple jump with a spectacular leap of 17.91 metres at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The Olympic champion set the tone early, reaching 17.55 metres on his second attempt to take the lead. Confident, he skipped his fifth jump, but the tension rose when Italy’s Andrea Dallavale soared to 17.64 metres, briefly overtaking him.
With everything on the line, Pichardo called on the crowd for support and delivered a breathtaking final jump. His 17.91 metres not only reclaimed first place but also set the best mark in the world this year.
Dallavale settled for silver with 17.64 metres, while Cuba’s Lázaro Martinez, injured on his final attempt, took bronze with 17.49 metres.
This triumph adds to Portugal’s successful campaign at the World Athletics Championships, where Isaac Nader had already secured gold in the 1,500 metres.
