Rio de Janeiro, Aug 16 (IANS) Christian Taylor of the United States successfully defended his Olympic triple jump title on Tuesday, defeating his rivals with the season's best leap at the Rio Games.
Taylor, who is also the world champion, cleared 17.86 metres with his first jump at the Olympic Stadium, beating compatriot Will Claye by 10 centimetres, reports Xinhua.
China's Dong Bin took the bronze medal with a best effort of 17.58m.
"The job is done," Taylor said. "I never thought on my first jump that would be the gold medal.
"I wanted it so much. It came together, the stars aligned."
The 26-year-old's task was made easier by the absence of Cuba's Pedro Pablo Pichardo, who was second in the event at last year's World Championships in Beijing.
Pichardo withdrew from the Rio Games because of an ankle injury.
