For the first time in Olympic history, Greece has won gold in the men’s long jump, all thanks to Miltiadis Tentoglou.
The 23-year-old has won Greece’s second gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, jumping an incredible 8.41m.
It was a nail biting finish, as Juan Miguel Echevarria of Cuba took the lead with a 8.41m jump, whilst Tentoglou awaited his turn as he sat in fourth place.
In the final round of jumps, the young Greek matched Echevarria’s distance, gaining an advantage with his second best attempt of 8.15m ahead of the Cuban’s 8.09m.
READ MORE: Olympics: Greece gets its first gold!
Of Tentoglou’s six attempts, four were valid, giving him a better overall score compared to that of Echevarria’s, who was unable to make the jump for his final attempt due to injury.
Initially the Greek athlete hadn’t realised he had won the gold, but began celebrating after some convincing from his coaches.
Tentoglou finished in first place, followed by Echevarria in second, while the Cuban’s compatriot Maykel Masso nabbed the bronze.
FINAL JUMP TALLY
- MILTOS TENTOGLOU (GREECE) – 8.11, Invalid, Invalid, 8.10, 8.15, 8.41
- Juan Miguel Echevarria (Cuba) 8.09, Invalid, 8.41, 6.71, No jump, Invalid
- Maykel Masso (Cuba) 8.21 8.05, No jump, No jump, No jump, No jump