Long Jump, Men

The Rio long jump final saw the lead change hands six times during the course of the event. Britain’s Greg Rutherford was the defending champion and was in the final but there was no obvious favorite. In round one he took the early lead with 8.18 but was surpassed by American Jeff Henderson, the 2015 Pan Am Games Champion, with 8.20. He held the lead through round two until Rutherford popped 8.22 in round three. This did not hold up as American Jarrion Lawson jumped 8.25 near the end of the round, although the jump could have been longer as his left hand hit the sand behind his body and the mark had to be measured to where his hand hit the sand.

In round four South African Luvo Manyonga recorded 8.28, a low-altitude personal best, to take the lead. In round five, he upped that to 8.37 to take a comfortable lead. With only three jumpers remaining Henderson cleared 8.38 in the final round, taking the lead by one centimetre. Rutherford had his best mark in the final round, with 8.29, but could not move up and won the bronze medal, as Henderson won gold, and Manyonga silver. Lawson struggled in the final three rounds with two fouls, and finished fourth.