27 year old Taylor had a 17.68m try on his third attempt to take the gold medal. Not the best of his capabilities, while he already jumped to 18.11m at the Diamond League meeting in Eugene. “The World Record (18.29m) is still on. I am still motivated to break that record. This was not the night, I am a little disappointed. But the season is not yet over,” said Taylor.
Taylor won gold medals at the 2011 and 2015 World Championships and at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. His compatriot Will Claye took another silver medal with 17.63m, as he did at the Rio Olympics. Nelson Evora from Portugal, the 2008 Olympic Champion, took the bronze with 17.19m.
Taylor and Claye also lead the Diamond Race in the Triple Jump. That will be another interesting duel between the two leading Americans in this event at the AG Memorial Van Damme.
In the Women’s 400m Hurdles Kori Carter (USA) was the unexpected winner, while Ramil Guliyev (TUR) became the shock winner in the Men’s 200m. Zuzana Hejnova (CZE) who leads the Diamond Race dropped off the medals in finishing 4th in a seasonal best. Ameer Webb (USA) who leads the 200m Diamond Race als wasn’t able to grasp a medal. He finished in 5th.
Today Belgian fans will be watching out for Thomas Van der Plaetsen in the Decathlon. The reigning European Champion will compete in a triathlon at the AG Memorial Van Damme (Shot Put, Long Jump, 110m Hurdles). Anne Zagré and Eline Berings are the Belgians to compete in the heats of the 100m Hurdles. On Sat. Aug. 26th Zagré will also be present at the sprintfestival at the AG Urban Memorial Van Damme in the Brussels city centre.
