Hibbert challenges for triple jump medal, Anning breaks British 400m record in Paris

SAINT-DENIS, France – Arkansas alum Jaydon Hibbert placed fourth in the triple jump final at Stade de France on Friday evening, missing the bronze medal position by an inch, while Razorback sprinter Amber Anning sped to a British national record of 49.29 seconds in placing fifth in the 400m final on a wet track surface.

Alum Taliyah Brooks completed the second day of the heptathlon, scoring 6,258 points to place 11th.

At 19-years old, Hibbert was the youngest in the triple jump final. His best mark of 57-9.5 (17.61) came in the second round following an opening round jump of 56-9.5 (17.31). In the third round, Hibbert reached a distance of 57-6.25 (17.53).

“I did my best,” Hibbert stated. “I gave it all I had, and what happened out there stays out there. I’m not carrying this with me to next season. Next season’s a new season.

“But overall, I think it’s my last meet of the year, and I’m just truly grateful for the opportunity. First to come to the Olympics and to get fourth place.”

Anning had a flourishing finish in breaking the previous Great Britain record of 49.41 set in 2013 by Christine Ohuruogu at the Moscow World Championships.

“I don’t think it’s hit me yet,” Anning said of breaking the national record. “I think it wasn’t the best executed race, but I finished really hard. I just went for it and just gave everything I had.

“So, to see that time with another PB and a national record, it means a lot. It’s kind of the time that I wanted. With the national record, it’s something I’ve kind of been chasing through the season. I’m grateful to get it among the best competition in the world. I can’t complain.”

Three former Cuban jumpers, now representing three different countries, claimed the triple jump medal positions. Jordan Diaz Fortun of Spain earned the gold medal with a winning distance of 58-7.25 (17.86), just two centimeters ahead of 2021 Tokyo gold medalist Pedro Pichardo of Portugal, who posted a 58-6.5 (17.84).

Andy Diaz Hernandez of Italy opened with a 57-10.25 (17.63) and finished with a 57-10.5 (17.64) for the bronze medal. He produced the top mark ever for third place in the Olympics while Hibbert generated the best ever mark for fourth place.

Hibbert’s fourth place mark was just a centimeter away from the best ever fourth-place mark in any competition. Pichardo holds that place with a 57-9.75 (17.62) from 2019 in the Doha World Championships.

Finishing fifth was 2023 World champion and 2021 Tokyo bronze medalist Jugues Fabrice Zango at 57-5 (17.50), with American Salif Mane sixth with a 57-1.5 (17.41).

The first finalist for Jamaica in the men’s Olympic triple jump, Hibbert’s fourth place performance matched the previous best by Jamaican’s in the event as Trecia Smith (2004 Athens) and Shanieka Thomas-Ricketts (2020 Tokyo) each finished fourth in the women’s triple jump.

With this being his Olympic debut at such a young age, Hibbert battled for a medal position on a wet runway as rains fell a half hour before the competition started.

“It just took me a while to get mentally prepared,” said Hibbert. “This has been a rough two months, and I didn’t really trust myself the first two jumps, but then when I really saw that I could do it, you know, stuff happened. But it’s all a learning curve.

“I’ve never been in such an intense competition all year, and I came fourth. I think three centimeters behind third. I knew I could do better, obviously with my PR. However, overall, I’m grateful for moments like these.”

Hibbert had a pair of fouls in round four and five, the passed on his sixth attempt.

“On my fourth jump, I kind of stumbled,” noted Hibbert, who has been wearing a supportive knee wrap for the past two months to support a very small tear on his meniscus. “I didn’t complete the jump, and it triggered my glutes, which then on the fifth jump triggered my hamstring.

“You know, I kind of felt it. I anticipated that something will happen, but I still went and gave it my all. I fought for that fourth-place, and I’m happy. But it’s nothing serious though.”

Despite being involved in such an intense competition, Hibbert took in the moment and the experience of being in an Olympic final.

“I’m grateful for the experience, and I definitely learned a lot more about myself and triple jumping itself,” Hibbert noted. “Even today when I was warming up, I almost gave up. And I still came out. I jumped over 17.6, which no junior has ever done.”

The World U20 record holder at 58-7.5 (17.87), Hibbert added No. 6 and equal No. 10 performances on the all-time World U20 list with his best two marks in the Olympic final.

Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic set an Olympic record of 48.17 for the 400m victory, taking down the previous record of 48.25 set in 1996 Atlanta Games by French sprinter Marie-Jose Perec.

Eid Salwa Naser of Bahrain secured silver in 48.53, the fourth fastest time in Olympic history, while Poland’s Natalia Kaczmarek snared bronze in 48.98 to make her the ninth best performer with the 10th best performance in Olympic history.

“I’ve watched the top three girls over the last year and just been in awe of what we’ve been able to achieve,” stated Anning. “So, for me to be out there and running with them is very remarkable. And I’m not done. I think there is so much building and learning from this.

“I’ve just had so much love and support from my team at the University of Arkansas as well as Team GB and my family. So, it’s just been a really cool experience.”

Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke finished fourth in 49.28, just ahead of Anning’s 49.29. Alexis Holmes, who trains in Fayetteville, ran a career best of 49.77 for fifth.

The medalists each produced the best marks for place in an Olympics final, while Adeleke equaled the time for fourth place.

Anning bettered the fifth place mark for place of 49.55 set by Jearl Miles, which is the best mark for place in any competition, and Holmes equaled the sixth place mark. All the previous marks were from the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Next for Anning is the 4 x 400m relay final on Saturday.

“I’m still not done, I’ve got the relay tomorrow,” Anning noted. “I feel great. I think everything’s just about getting the right recovery, getting my nutrition, and getting some sleep.

“We’re in a really good position to get a medal tomorrow and I’m going to do everything I can to get my team to that finish line and secure another Olympic medal. So, I’m ready to go.”