It took the best jump ever on American soil to beat Will Claye’s personal best.
Will and his longtime rival and friend Christian Taylor wowed the crowd at the Prefontaine Classic, going back and forth in a thrilling triple jump final. Claye came through with a huge wind-aided 18.05-meter jump—the longest jump of his career. However, Taylor’s 18.11-meter leap made it a one-two finish for the two Florida Gators.
“(Claye) is the reason why I’m jumping these distances,” Taylor said. “I love a fight. You push me, and I’m gonna push back. … I hope that he continues to bring it and we continue this all the way through world championships…I’m happy that he stepped up. He had a huge personal best, and it pushed me to get outside my comfort zone and jump.”
What a show! Christian Taylor (@Taylored2jump) bests Will Claye (@WilliamClaye) in the Triple Jump! #PreClassic pic.twitter.com/Yu38nsFk9c
— TrackTown USA (@GoTrackTownUSA) May 27, 2017
Omds the men's triple jump is amazing. Christian Taylor vs Will Claye yhhh
— Kaobs (@kicokon) June 3, 2017
Will Claye & Christian Taylor jumping crazy #tracknation
— Broke Gal Kronicalz (@gtgyals) May 27, 2017
Men's triple jump is taking over as event of the meet. Christian Taylor 59'5", Will Claye 59'2.25. No one has ever jumped this far and lost.
— Mark Cullen (@trackerati) May 27, 2017
The men's Triple Jump is getting really heated up & is now a two-horse race between Chris Taylor & Will Claye. #EugeneDL
— Making of Champions (@MakingOfChamps) May 27, 2017
Will Claye becomes the second man over 18 metres in the men's triple jump. INCREDIBLE!. Taylor still leads with 18.11m over Claye's 18.05m
— IAAF Diamond League (@Diamond_League) May 27, 2017
Will Claye just landed the fifth-best triple jump mark in history… still trails Taylor by 2.75 inches.
— Jarrid Denney (@jarrid_denney) May 27, 2017
Christian Taylor and and Will Claye are going at it (again) in the triple. Trading world-best times. https://t.co/q2g5USZp12
— Jarrid Denney (@jarrid_denney) May 27, 2017
Christian Taylor and Will Claye are bringing it #EugeneDL
— Robyn Brailey (@robynbrailey) May 28, 2017
Men Triple Jump. Take in away world records when two men are competing for this record! @Taylored2jump 18.11m Will Claye 18.05m #EugeneDL pic.twitter.com/yTIBJjZTxO
— mike Plummer (@trackmikes) May 28, 2017
Christian Taylor and Will Claye still going at it for the top spot after all these years is dope
— Shawn Vaughn Jr. (@shawnevaughnjr) May 28, 2017
RELATED LINKS
- Eugene Diamond League Results (Runner Space, May 27, 2017)
- Taylor and Claye thrill Prefontaine Classic crowd in triple jump (The Register-Guard, June 13, 2017)
- Christian Taylor approaches world record at Prefontaine Classic (Team USA, May 27, 2017)
- Photos: Prefontaine Classic Day 2 (Daily Emerald, May 27, 2017)