Tara Davis-Woodhall, Quanesha Burks, and Ruth Usoro lit up the women's long jump event at the Bermuda Grand Prix.
The women's long jump lived up to expectations as one of the most anticipated events at the Bermuda Grand Prix, having the world's leading jumpers, Tara Davis-Woodhall and Quanesha Burks, go against each other.
Before the Games, Davis-Woodhall had the second-best distance in the world at 7.07m, while Burks had the third-best with 6.95m.
With both already with a healthy jab of words at each other on social media on who was a better jumper, Bermuda proved to be the place on who will own the bragging rights in their first clash together this year.
Davis-Woodhall led with her second-round jump of 7.03m (3.7), and Burks followed with 6.85m (3.1). In the third round, Burks snatched the lead with 7.04m (2.9), and Davis-Woodhall responded with the initial mark of 7.03m (2.3).
The fourth and fifth rounds saw Burks with windy 6.99m and 6.69m, while Davis-Woodhall leaped windy 6.87m and a legal 6.83m.
However, in the sixth and final round, things switched as the latter leaped a sublime 7.11m (2.1), and Burks had no jump, thereby snatching the much-needed win, making her lead the battle in their newly found rivalry.
Interestingly, Nigeria's Ruth Usoro benefitted from their stiff competition as she was motivated to cause a rare upset, soaring to a massive Personal Best (PB) of 6.82m (1.2) to finish third. Her mark propelled her to No.5 on the world list, above compatriot Ese Brume with 6.77m.
The women's long jump is turning out to be one of the most competitive events this season, which is good for the sport ahead of the World Championships in Budapest.
16:13 - 19.05.2023
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