Cartagena COL - Panama’s 2006 World Indoor long jump silver medallist Irving Saladino replaced Cuba’s Ivan Pedroso as the new king of the Long Jump on Friday (28) on the penultimate day of the athletics tournament at the 20th Central American and Caribbean Games.

The IAAF World Ranking event leader landed at 8.29m in the four round and had two other valid jumps over eight metre (8.25 and 8.06), but Pedroso´s CAC Games record of 8.45 remained intact.

“I am happy with my performance and to be able to give another gold to Panama. I did not expect to jump 8.29. The weather did not help as it rained during the competition and the runway was wet. My next goal is to continue a winning streak in the Golden League circuit,” said a happy Saladino.

“It was a special meeting as I competed with my idol, Pedroso, but I would have preferred not compete with him, but to have him watch me from the stands. It was great having him next to me on the podium”, the 23-year old added.

Pedroso, the nine-time World and 2000 Olympic champion of Cuba holds the record since his win in Maracaibo´98. He finished second this time in 7.92, followed by his younger compatriot Ibrahím Camejo (7.83).

“I wanted to jump around 8.20-8.30. I am upset with myself. It wasn’t my day, but that’s the way the sport is. I am not a good jumper in the rain, but it affects everyone. Overall, I am happy to stay healthy after two injury-plagued years”, stated Pedroso.

Commenting on his Panamanian successor, he said that “Saladino is in great form and needs to be consistent on 8.40 to be among the world’s greatest jumpers. We are both happy to have competed together. It is the same feeling when I beat Mike Powell at the 1995 World Championships in Gothenburg.