Photo: Monica RF.

The Cuban athlete, Robiel Yankiel Sol Cervantes (T47), was crowned champion in the long jump of the V Youth Parapan American Games of Bogotá 2023 with a world record of 7.71 meters.

The stadium of the Sports Unit El Salitre was expectant with his performance, because it was known that at any time he could go far, very far.

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic champion fouled on his first attempt and then jumped 7.05 and 7.55 meters. With that last mark he was left over to impose himself, but he wanted more, much more.

The fourth exercise was below six meters due to a blow of air near the table, as explained by his coach Luis Bueno, who all the time was demanding and restless in the stands.

A jump of 7.48 in the fifth round alerted that he was back in the competition, but we did not know that the scene was set for a magical moment.

With no other pressure than to look for something big, Robiel stood on his back to the jumping tank at the end of the pill with his hands on his waist. He faced the road to glory without too much fuss. No applause asked...

He ran hard and bit the board millimeters from the forbidden. He flew and fell where dreams come true. He waited for the white flag and trotted to the table to get his own. He burst into joy and ran to the end of the track, right where he had promised, seconds before, to tattoo forever the history of these Games.

The rest was euphoria and happiness, plus that pride of Cubanness. The notes of our glorious hymn will be heard here again.

Near Robiel, on the podium, will be Adelvis Durán, who with 6.30 meters deserved a silver only overshadowed by the greatness of a genius.

(Taken from JIT)