Recruit lands Canada's first medal at IAAF world juniors
July 21: Taylor Stewart leaps to long-jump bronze, while fellow recruit Drew Welch places 10th in group in shot put
Andy Watson
7/22/2010 9:31:07 AM
MONCTON, N.B. - Western Mustangs track and field recruit Taylor Stewart of London, Ont., earned bronze in the long jump at the 2010 IAAF Track and Field World Junior Championships on Wednesday July 21.
After qualifying for the finals with the second-best jump of the preliminary round, Stewart leaped from fifth to third on his final jump of 7.63 metres to earn the bronze.
It was Canada's first medal of the competition and earned battling both windy conditions and a sore knee.
According to team officials, the 19-year-old Stewart entered competition battling tendinitis in his right knee. But he did not let the injury stop him from reaching his potential.
South Africa's Luvo Manyonga won the long-jump gold with a distance of 7.99m.
Another incoming recruit in shot put, Drew Welch placed 10th in his group with a throw of 17.30m, a metre off his personal best.
In men's high jump, Branden Wilhelm of Woodstock, Ont., finished in the Top 8 in qualifying, clearing at the 2.17-metre mark. He will compete for a medal in Friday night's finals on July 23.
Read more about Stewart and Welch's commitment and junior nationals performance.
External Media
CBC WEBCAST
CBC INTERVIEW
GLOBE & MAIL: Canada breaks through at world junior track championships
NATIONAL POST: Stewart wins Canada's 1st medal in Moncton
CBC: Stewart wins Canada's 1st medal in Moncton - Long jumper earns bronze on final attempt
IAAF: Men's long jump
CBC Webcasting