The men’s triple jump at the Oslo Diamond League produced a surprise result as Jamaica’s Jordan Scott outshone Olympic champion Pedro Pablo Pichardo of Portugal to claim victory.
Scott, a Paris-bound Olympian, stamped his authority early in the contest with a first-round leap of 17.34 meters (56-10¾) — a mark no other competitor managed to challenge for the remainder of the event.
Pedro Pichardo, the reigning Olympic champion and one of the event’s most decorated athletes, pushed hard but ultimately had to settle for second place. His best effort of 17.06 meters (55-11¾) came in round two, making him the only other athlete on the day to surpass the 17-meter mark.
After the event, a visibly frustrated Pichardo opened up about his struggles on the day.
“For me, this was not a good competition. I was mentally not there, I could not focus. I am struggling with some allergy,” he revealed in a post-race interview.
“The result was so-so. The good thing is that I still have some time for more jumps. It will be OK. I will be ready for the World Championships.”
Despite the off day in Oslo, Pichardo remains undeterred in his quest for greatness. The 2020 Olympic gold medalist, who boasts a Portuguese national record of 17.98 meters (58-11¾), reaffirmed his ambition of chasing the long-standing world record.
“I still think of the world record. I do not know if it is going to be this year, but I am going to push for the PB. The world record is my dream and I still have it in my head,” he declared.
Pichardo won the Doha and Shanghai men’s triple jump title.
Pedro Pichardo’s illustrious career includes a 2022 world title, a 2024 Olympic silver medal, and a host of age-group and senior accolades dating back to his 2012 World Junior Championship triumph. His 18.06-meter (59-3) leap in 2015 still stands as the third-best jump in history, the finest performance recorded in the event since 1996.
The seasoned Portuguese star remains one of the sport’s biggest names and fiercest competitors. With his sights set on reclaiming his world title and edging closer to Jonathan Edwards’ 18.29-meter world record, Pichardo’s journey is far from over.
