Brazilian Keila Costa competing in Uberlandia (© Wander Roberto Oliveira/CBAt)
Competing in very windy conditions, Brazilian Keila Costa became the main attraction of the “Grande Prêmio Sul-Americano Caixa/Sesi de Atletismo” at Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil by triple jumping 3 times over 15m, and recording a best result of 15.10m (wind 2.7 m/s) on Sunday, 6 May.
The meeting was the start a series of four Brazilian meets – three Area Permit meetings and one IAAF Grand Prix – at which points can be acquired by athletes to qualify for the IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final.
'Very consistent'
The 24-year-old Costa from the State of Pernambuco, bronze medallist at the 2002 World Junior Championships in Kingston, produced the following series: 15.09m/4.5 m/s wind, 15.00/3.7, pass, 15.10/2.7, pass, and 14.75/3.1.
“The wind helped a lot, but the results shows that I’m in great shape, and even though the marks are not good for rankings, this is very important for me”, said Costa, who last 28 April had improved her long jump personal best to 6.74m, while second at the Dakar GP. She also has a Triple Jump PB of 14.43m, set in São Paulo on 7 March 2007. The South American record is 14.53m (São Caetano do Sul, 27 April 2003), and belongs to another Brazilian, Maurren Maggi.
Her coach, Nélio Moura, was also very pleased. “It was the best event of the meet, always considering the wind factor. Keila was very consistent, had 4 very good jumps, and knew how to use the breeze on her favour.”
Brazilian Laurice Félix was second with 14.32m (4.4m/s), Canadian Tabia Charles third with 14.24m (4.6), Maggi was fourth with 14.20m (5.6), and Tânia da Silva, also Brazilian, fifth with the best legal jump of the day, 14.11m (1.8), a personal best.
Moreno didn’t disappoint
Cuban Yipsi Moreno, a two-time World champion, took the victory in the women’s Hammer Throw. But Russia’s Gulfiya Khanafeyeva, the 2006 European Championships silver medallist, didn’t compete despite being previously announced (editor’s note - no reason so far known).
Moreno threw 70.50m in her second attempt after a foul, then had 3 other fouls, and ended with 69.36m. Her young compatriot Arasay Thondike was second with 66.25m, while former Brazilian record holder Josiane Soares was third with 59.28m, beating 2004 Olympic bronze medallist, Cuban Yunaika Crawford (58.98m).
64.97m Discus Throw by Ferrales
Another Cuban, 29-year-old Yania Ferrales, produced a good display in the women’s Discus with 64.97m, her best performance of the season (pb 66.00m ’06), and her best mark outside of Cuba.
Ferrales, a two-time CAC Chamapion, and winner of the 2006 CAC Games, left Yarelis Barrios (CUB) in second place. Barrios threw 62.51m, after entering the competition with the best precedent (66.68m, last 3 March in Jamaica), while Brazilian Elisângela Adriano, the South American record holder finished third with 56.89m
Wind also affects the Long Jump
Five men were able to go beyond the 8m mark in the Long Jump, where the victory went to American Trevell Quinley with 8.12m (wind 3.2 m/s).
Quinley, bronze medallist at the 2002 World Junior Championships (pb 8.17 ’05), won from German Nils Wenter (8.06/5.5), American Bashir Ramsy (8.02/3.4), Peruvian Louis Tristán (8.02m/3.4), and Brazilian Erivaldo Vieira (8.00/2.6).
Gomes da Silva manages wind in Pole Vault
The tough wind conditions were a factor throughout the meet, and one of those events that usually gets affected the most is the men’s Pole Vault. Former South American and Ibero-American Champion, Brazilian Fábio Gomes da Silva, was one of the few who could manage the wind, and vaulted over 5.60m to set a season’s best.
On the track, the results didn’t produce significant performances, and the winners were:
Men: 100m (4.3 m/s): José Carlos Moreira (BRA) 10.32; 200m (2.7): Vicente de Lima (BRA) 20.60; 400m: Andrés Silva (URU) 46.50; 1500m: Fabiano Peçanha (BRA) 3:46.81; 4x100m: 1 International Team 39.46, 2 Brazil 39.50.
Women: 100m (2.9): Luciana Alves dos Santos (BRA) 11.53; 200m (2.9): Thaíssa Barbosa Presti 23.53; 400m: Josiane Tito 53.06; 1500m: Juliana de Azevedo (BRA) 4:30.14; HJ: Mônica Freitas (BRA) 1.76; 4x100m: Brazil 44.49.
Eduardo Biscayart for the IAAF
South American Area Permit meetings scoring points for the IAAF World Athletics Final
Sun 13 - Gold meeting Rio de Atletismo
(Grand Prix Sudamericano) Rio de Janeiro (BRA)
Wed 16 - Gold Meeting Caixa Fortaleza
(Grand Prix Sudamericano) Fortaleza (BRA)
IAAF Grand Prix status meeting in the IAAF World Athletics Tour
Sun 20 May - Grande Premio Brasil Caixa de Atletismo Belém (BRA)
