Cuba’s Juan Miguel Echevarría Settles for Silver After Dramatic Long Jump Finish at Tokyo Games

2020 Tokyo Games

Juan Miguel Echevarría has jumped his way onto the Olympics medal podium… 

The 22-year-old Cuban athlete claimed the silver medal in the men’s long jump competition at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Juan Miguel Echevarría 

Echevarría finished the competition with a best jump of 8.41 meters, losing the gold to Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece, who won in the most dramatic fashion as he leapt 8.41 meters in his final attempt to snatch the top prize.

Tentoglou was the world leader coming into Tokyo with an 8.60m leap at a domestic competition in May, but struggled to find his form and was outside the medals positions as he hit the runway for the final time.

Tentoglou hit the board perfectly to match the leading mark, with his second-best jump of 8.15m assuring him the gold by edging out Echevarría ‘s 8.09m.

A limping Echevarria had one more chance to improve on his second-best effort but pulled up, sinking to his knees at the board.

Maykel Masso

He was comforted by compatriot Maykel Masso, who won the bronze.

The 22-year-old Cuban long jumper finished the competition with a jump of 8.21 meters.

Juan Miguel Echevarría, Miltiadis Tentoglou, Maykel Masso