BEIJING, China - "Superman" Leevan Sands might not have gotten the 17 meters (m) - 55' 9-1/4" - jump that he wanted so badly, but he climaxed a tremendous comeback year with a spirited effort in the men's triple jump final of the 15th International Association of Athletics Federation's (IAAF) World Championships on Thursday. Sands, the most unlikely competitor in the event's final, had a best performance of 16.68m (54' 8-3/4") to finish 10th overall. That's right - he's the 10th best triple jumper in the world, three years removed from corrective surgery to repair his right knee.
On a night that saw American Christian Taylor produce the second best jump in the history of the event for the world title (18.21m - 59' 9"), Sands stood tall among Bahamians. He jumped 16.73m (54' 10-3/4") in qualifying on Wednesday, and has a season's best leap of 16.99m (55' 9") under his belt. This year was initially set to be a trial one for the Bahamian national record holder, testing his knee after rehabilitating from a torn patella tendon that he suffered at the 2012 London Olympics.
Still, against all odds, he qualified for the world championships in his specialty, won a silver medal at the Pan Am Games, made the world championships final here in Beijing, China, and ended up as the 10th best triple jumper in the world. He is, in the minds of many, the best triple jumper in Bahamian history. Sands is known as one who pumps up the crowd during competition, and is never short for words, but even he was lost in the moment on Thursday night. "This is just an unbelievable feeling," said Sands. "I had an amazing year. I'm just thankful and happy for what I was able to do, and I'm looking forward to greater things in the future. Making the final was amazing. No one expected me to be here, but I'm here, and I'm so excited to be back at this level. "
Back in the "Bird's Nest" Stadium where he won Olympic bronze with his national record setting leap of 17.59m (57' 8-1/2") in 2008, Sands started off his series of jumps by getting the crowd into the competition by gesturing to them to clap their hands. On his first leap, he had good placement on the board and registered his best leap of 16.68m. He was in eighth place after the first series of jumps. Sands scratched on his second attempt, and was 10th after that series of jumps.
Only the top eight jumpers are allowed three additional jumps, so it was imperative for Sands to register a big leap on his third attempt if he wanted to continue in the competition. However, he could only muster a best of 16.47m (54' 0-1/2") on what might turn out to be his final jump of the season. He has already qualified for next year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. "When I first started, my goal was the Olympics, so that's the focus for now," said Sands. "I started jumping better than I thought I was going to jump this year, so I just went with the flow. I just need the eyes to watch me at this point, because since April, I've been doing this comeback attempt on my own. It feels good, and I'm looking forward to next year." As mentioned, Taylor, the Olympic and now two-time world champion, turned in the jump of his life to win the gold medal here in Beijing.
He was just eight centimeters off the world record (18.29m - 60' 0-1/4"). Taylor saved his best for last as he produced that stunning 18.21m world lead on his final attempt. It's the second best jump in the history of the men's triple jump. Pedro Pichardo, of Cuba, won the silver medal with a best leap of 17.73m (58' 2"), and Nelson Evora, of Portugal, who won Olympic gold in this same "Bird's Best" Stadium seven years ago, won the bronze on Thursday with a season's best leap of 17.52m (57' 5-3/4").
American Omar Craddock was fourth with a best leap of 17.37m (57'), and Lyukman Adams, representing Russia, finished fifth with a best jump of 17.28m (56' 8-1/2"). The focus among Bahamians was on Sands though. He's made tremendous strides this year, and with a full year of competition already under his belt in his comeback attempt, the immediate future looks bright as he continues to recover. There is no telling what he could do at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics next year.
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