Evora Wins Gold For Portugal In Men's Triple Jump

Beijing, China (AHN) - Nelson Evora of Portugal duplicated his feat in the world championships last year by taking the gold medal in the men's triple jump Thursday at the Bird's Nest.

Evora hopped, skipped and leaped to 17.67 meters to capture the gold, a follow-up to his victory in the World's held last year in Osaka.

The win also marked Portugal's first gold medal in the quadrennial event since Fernanda Ribeiro gave the European country the victory in the women's 10,000 meters in 1996.

Evora, who set the mark on his fourth attempt, beat Great Britain's Phillips Idowu. The Briton led after the first round but could only manage 17.62 meters in taking the silver.

Bahamas' Leevan Sands came in third for the bronze with 17.59 meters while Cuban Arnie David Giralt was fourth with 17.52. Romania's Marian Opera was fifth with 17.22 meters.