| Just as at the Rio Olympics, it was a battle of South Americans Ibargüen and Rojas. Then, the Colombian came out on top. In London, it was Rojas who scored a hard-fought victory, the first by Venezuela at the World Championships. They took turns leading at the end of each of the first three rounds. Ibargüen 14.67, Rojas 14.82 then Ibargüen 14.89. Meanwhile, Rypakova cleared 14.77, which ultimately meant she would win the same medal as in 2015 (bronze) with the same distance. Into the fifth round, Rojas went first of the two principals and edged in front with a 5.10 hop, 3.95 step and 5.86 jump for a total of 14.91. Ibargüen responded with 14.71, meaning she had one more chance to defend her title. She fell just short with 14.88. The winner’s jump phases (as far as 5.87) were much the longest of all the finalists, though her steps where among the shortest. |
