Christian Taylor wins triple jump title in Doha 2019
DOHA, QATAR - SEPTEMBER 29: Christian Taylor of the United States competes in the Men's Triple Jump final during day three of 17th IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 at Khalifa International Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images for IAAF)

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DOHA, Qatar – American triple jumper Christian Taylor claimed his fourth world triple jump title on Sunday (29 Sept) at the 17th IAAF World Athletics Championships here in Qatar.

Taylor, who committed fouls on his first attempts, again beat Will Clay, the early leader with 17.74m. Taylor took the lead on his fifth jump with 17.86 and finished at 17.92.

Press Conference Highlights: Men’s Triple Jump final

Christian Taylor (USA) – gold
On the competition and the conditions on the runway:
“The crowd was phenomenal. Our side was just rocking. I was very surprised and very pleased to see the people who came out to show us the love.

“We’ve been fighting all year and trying to be entertainers all year, to keep us alive. Hopefully, this gets the IAAF’s attention to keep us going.

“We are familiar with Doha. We’ve been here several times with the Diamond League, and we knew the atmosphere was going to be perfect.”

On what he was thinking after fouling his first two attempts:
“Will [Claye] put some big marks out there, so I knew I had to respond. But this is how we train – be ready to respond, be ready to respond.

Christian Taylor wins triple jump title in Doha 2019
DOHA, QATAR – SEPTEMBER 29: Christian Taylor of the United States competes in the Men’s Triple Jump final during day three of 17th IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 at Khalifa International Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images for IAAF)

“My coach and I have prepared diligently for this position and how to stay calm and collected. I was so chasing the world record, maybe too hard, and my coach said he could see that in my face. He said I had to find that balance between full effort and to have some calm about it.

“The distances were there, just the wrong colour flag and the wrong position of my foot. My coach said, ‘You’ve been here before. Breathe. Take a safe jump, make the final rounds, then compete again.’”

On the challenges facing the triple jump:
“We have some challenges staying alive on the track circuit and even the Diamond League. It’s unfortunate because I think the triple jump is at a phenomenal level right now.
“We belong here, and I believe there is a strong interest in the triple jump, and we have a lot more to come.”

On having rival and compatriot Will Claye in the same competition:
“If we’re not both in the competition it’s not the same. Then we relax, and we don’t need that. We need to be on edge to push each other.

“The world record for sure would change everything. It would change our lives, maybe even our drive and motivation to do this.
“But this is why we come here year after year, changing things up, so the levels continue to rise. We are all chasing that number.”

On the camaraderie in the triple jump:
“I think what makes us different from track athletes is that we spend a lot of time together. We’re out there through all kinds of weather – rain, shine, cold.

“I think our camaraderie is really special. It’s what sets us apart. You see a lot of track athletes avoiding competition, but we don’t have that in the field. We’re trying new things, and we have this connection.”

Will Claye (USA) – silver
On the competition and the conditions on the runway:
“The runway was really fast, and that showed today. It showed with Christian’s first two fouls. It showed with me checking up a lot.

Will Clay gets triple jump silver in Doha 2019
DOHA, QATAR – SEPTEMBER 29: Will Claye of the United States competes in the Men’s Triple Jump final during day three of 17th IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 at Khalifa International Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images for IAAF)

“But that’s what brought those big jumps out too. When you make adjustments and hit it right, you’re going to jump really far. And you saw that with Hugues’ last jump.

“The atmosphere was really great. I don’t know how many people were in the crowd but whoever was there were making a lot of noise so we appreciated that.

“We just wanted to put on a show. The triple jump’s been on the back burner for a lot of years, and we want to bring it into the spotlight. Competitions like this are really great for our event.”

Hugues Fabrice Zango (BUR) – bronze

On his competition and challenging his two US opponents:
“Everything was ok today for me. The track was fast, and the climate was really good for me. It was hot.
“I was in really great shape to do something today, and I did something at the end, I did 17.66m.

“We are all working on going further and further, and working on some technical improvements.”


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